While much of America is in the throes of Black Friday shopping, and stores of all sizes are reaping the benefits, local retailers have another and possibly more significant day to brace themselves for: Small Business Saturday.
"Black Friday's usually a big-box store day," said Lisa Walker, co-owner of High Street Station in Jackson.
But Small Business Saturday, a marketing campaign started by American Express in 2010 in the aftermath of the recession, marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season for many local businesses.
Area stores and restaurants have sales planned throughout the weekend, with promotions taking place specifically for the Saturday event.
Twelve Cape Girardeau businesses have teamed up for the second annual Holiday Passport Program, organized by Kim Kelpe of the Missouri Running Co.
"It seemed like it was a great hit last year," she said.
This year, she asked Stacy Busch-Heisserer of Busch Pet Products for help with promotion and reached out to more businesses.
"We started with the businesses in our little area," Kelpe said, "and then anything locally owned that maybe isn't getting as much publicity."
Shoppers can pick up a passport at any of the participating Cape Girardeau businesses -- Beef'O'Brady's, Busch Pet Products, Cape Bicycle & Fitness, Cup 'n' Cork, Cyclewerx, Eye Candy, Foutz's Hunting & Fishing, Golf Etc., Keepers Kloset, Mattress Guys, Missouri Running Co. or Primo Vino -- all of which will have their own sales and promotions that day.
As they visit each location, shoppers can have their passport stamped. Once a passport has at least five stamps, it may be turned in for a chance to win a prize drawing. Collecting stamps beyond the minimum will earn the shopper more chances to win.
No purchases are necessary to participate in the promotion or get a stamp, Kelpe said.
"We just want people to come in and see what's going on, and if they find something -- great," she said.
More information about the event may be found at the Missouri Running Company's Facebook page, facebook.com/moruncocape.
Old Town Cape also organized a Small Business Saturday promotion involving dozens of downtown Cape Girardeau businesses.
While promotions will vary between stores, shoppers will have opportunities to be entered into drawings at each store for prizes worth at least $25.
"If you have a favorite business or one you've been looking to go in and visit, now is the time to do it, because there's such great deals," said Katie Amrhein, marketing and events coordinator of Old Town Cape.
A list of participating businesses and details about the event may be found on Old Town Cape's website, oldtowncape.org/Small-Business-Saturday.aspx.
Other stores not involved in organized programs are still in the Small Business Saturday spirit.
In Jackson, many local shops have sales and specials throughout the day.
High Street Station and Cobblestone Corner, for example, are teaming up, as they have in years past, for a Mariana Jewelry Trunk Show.
Walker said many products they carry in her store will have discounts or free gifts as well.
"Small Business Saturday is a really good day for us," Walker said. "People in Jackson have been very supportive of small businesses. We don't ever take it for granted."
In Scott City, Chaundra Mason, owner of Paradise Express Ltd., is among the shops gearing up for Saturday, when she will debut new products and offer free gifts and clearance sales for other items in her florist shop and her new store, Mason Grace Boutique.
The day, she said, is a reminder of the importance of shopping locally and supporting mom-and-pop stores that offer a personal connection that's missing from national chains.
In Perryville, Missouri, local businesses are planning their own celebrations, with encouragement from their Chamber of Commerce.
"We have 14 businesses all hosting their own Small Business Saturday promotions," said Amanda Winschel of the Perryville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber has more information about the event, including a list of participating stores, on its Facebook page, facebook.com/pvillemochamber.
"It's such a great movement," Jerra Hutson, owner of Atelier in downtown Cape Girardeau, said as she recalled a young couple who recently visited her shop on a quest to buy all their holiday gifts from local stores.
"There's no reason to risk buying online," she said, "when we can get our hands on things, see them, and feel good about it instead of wondering what's going to come in the mail."
bbrown@semissourian.com
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130 S High St, Jackson, MO
1720 Kingsway Dr #103, Cape Girardeau, MO
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