Shoppers taking a calmer, more personal approach to holiday gift-buying will have an opportunity Saturday morning to support local businesses while possibly taking home a little something for themselves.
For the second year, Old Town Cape has arranged a more organized Small Business Saturday for downtown businesses.
"Most of the businesses downtown have typically participated, but this is only our second year of actually organizing kind of a big to-do around the day," said organizer Christa Zickfield of Old Town Cape.
Thirty-one downtown businesses have signed up to be part of this year's event. Each store will be open during its regular business hours.
"Pretty much everybody signed up again," Zickfield said, adding Old Town Cape got great feedback after last year's event.
Small Business Saturday again will include a prize giveaway like last year, but with a change. In 2014, businesses contributed to one big prize drawing.
"This year, every store that participates is just going to be offering a giveaway in their store," Zickfield said. "So if you go and shop at Mississippi Mutts on Saturday, you're going to be entered to win Mississippi Mutts' prize. If you go into Sweet Designs, and you buy something down there, you'll be entered to win their prize."
To be entered for the giveaway, shoppers 18 and older must make a purchase at a participating business during regular business hours. They will receive one entry to win that store's giveaway, valued at $25 or more. Shoppers can be entered at each business they shop at. Zickfield said some stores have a minimum purchase requirement.
"So every store may be a little bit different in that respect, but as long as you meet their minimum requirements, you can be entered to win," she said.
Zickfield said the hope is the drawings will reach more customers. Plus, doing it that way allows people to win prizes which they are already interested.
"Small business is kind of the heart of our community, and whenever you stay away from the big-box stores and the big chains and you stop at these local, home-owned, mom-and-pop places, you're really fueling our local economy," Zickfield said.
She said more money spent at local businesses stays in the community.
"It may not be a big purchase, but every little bit counts ... " Zickfield said.
kwebster@semissourian.com
(573) 388-3646
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The following downtown businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday:
Antiques
Gourmet Chocolates
Pertinent address:
Downtown Cape Girardeau, MO
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