By TAYLOR BROWN
Shopping small is the perfect way to find something special to cross an item of off your holiday shopping list.
Despite trying times as small business still recoup from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other ongoing struggles businesses face, small business owners, like the towns where they operate, are resilient and looking forward to a merry and bright holiday season as they welcome you to their stores.
Shoppers in the Mon Valley know and appreciate the role small businesses play. Not only do small businesses support the local economy, they also to support their community’s sports teams, schools, students and families in need – so it’s no surprise to see small business throughout the Mon Valley are doing whatever they can to offer the best products, services and gifts to their customers for the holiday season.
On Saturday, the doors to many of these business will be wide open for Small Business Saturday — some opening early or later to accommodate consumers who have a full day of spending planned.
Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 to add another shopping day between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
More than a decade later, it’s observed in all 50 states, and in 2011, the Senate passed a resolution recognizing Small Business Saturday.
Historically, reported projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $17.9 billion according to the 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express.
More than 72% of shoppers who participated in the survey said the shop small campaign encouraged them to want to keep shopping local long past the holiday season, and to stop by small businesses year-round – a good thing for more than 32 million independent businesses across the country.
The 2023 American Express Shop Small Impact Study emphasizes the importance of shopping small and excitement building among business owners and consumers.
According to the study, 88% of small business owners said small businesses need the support of customers in their community given the current economic environment.
More than half 55% of small business owners anticipate Small Business Saturday will make a significant contribution to their overall holiday sales this year and consumers are ready to rally behind their local neighborhood businesses and be a part of the Shop Small movement with 78% of those surveyed who agree small businesses are essential to their community.
It’s a welcome invitation from no shortage of local business within the Mon Valley who will be eager to open their doors to help residents find the perfect present.
Stefanie McCulloch, owner of Broad Avenue Treasures in North Belle Vernon, said she will welcome a new vendor to the shop that day.
“While we won’t be doing any sales or specials, we will have refreshments available for our valued customers and will be welcoming a new vendor that day,” McCulloch said.
“It’s important to us, and other small business to shop local because we are the people who support you, so it’s nice to feel supported as well. When someone needs a donation, we try our best to help, and small businesses are the people you come to.”
One of the vendors at Broad Avenue Treasures, Cathy Milinovich said shopping small is like being a good neighbor.
“The people who run these small business are your neighbors,” she said. “Shopping small is about supporting the people in your community and being a good neighbor.”
Kristen (Joseph) Keller, manager of Joseph’s Nursery in Monessen said while people are always welcome to stop by, the business won’t be having a special open house until the first weekend in December.
From Dec.1-3 there will be 20% off the entire store, which does exclude the business’ cut and flock trees, that continue to grow in popularity.
Keller said no matter what you are looking for, you can likely find something truly special at Joseph’s Nursery.
“Gnomes are quite popular this year and we have some glitter lanterns that make nice gifts, as well as a lot of other items,” Keller said. “In about a week or so we will have our live greens and wreaths available.”
Like most business owners, Keller is passionate about shopping small.
“I think our small businesses are the backbones of their community,” she said. “We help out, from the local football team to different things like that.
“Not just here in Monessen, but different towns in the Mon Valley, we’re so small that everyone helps everyone. I think that’s why people do support us, because they appreciate that and know we give back when we can.”
Scott McCullough owner of Creative Elegance in North Belle Vernon said there will be specials throughout the shop today including a door buster this morning.
Additionally, Creative Elegance will run a Secret Santa Sale Dec. 9, 16 and 23.
On those days there will be a holiday sale at the store, but shoppers have to stop by to see what the deal is.
On Dec. 8, Creative Elegance will run a holiday happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. and feature goodies from the Cheesecake Fairy.
“I think people will see items here that are not available in big box shops,” McCullough said. “We have a one stop gift and floral shop here, we have a wide variety of things, stocking stuffers, gift ideas for the holidays and every season honestly.
“There is nothing you would see at a bigger store or online.”
In Monogahela, a first of its kind small business event will be held on Small Business Saturday this year.
Organized by local business owner Michelle DeHosse, owner of Sparkles by Shell, she said after a rough few months in the downtown business area as the result of water main breaks and ongoing construction, it was more important than ever before to promote shopping local.
“We have all been feeling it,” she said. “We have all taken a hit, and it’s hard because this is one of the busiest times for all of us.”
On Saturday, most business along Main Street will participate in the event geared toward driving business to shops along Main Street.
Alpha Equine, Chaney’s Natural Salon &Spa, Chess Street Appliance, Chloe & Me Candles, CJ’s Furniture, Craft’D Owl, Di’s Hometown Deli, Dusty’s Discount, Industrial Farmhouse Living, Leighanna’s Closet, Little City Coffee, Main Street Gypsy, the Monongahela Area Library, Mon Valley Outdoors, Monongahela Minimart, Noel’s Primitive, Rabe’s Trading Post,Sambol’s Bakery, Santa’s Secret Shoppe, Sparkles by Shell, Uncommonly Beautiful, Wool & Wick and Dusty’s Discounts all plan to participate.
MERry Merchant Program returns
Leanna Spada, executive director of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, said as always, shopping small is crucial.
To promote businesses within the chamber’s membership, the MVRCC will again host its Merry Merchant Program, which will kick off Saturday and conclude Dec. 18.
To participate, shoppers can purchase a ticket at the chamber office, located at 1 Chamber Plaza, Charleroi, or stop by a participating business.
Shoppers must stop in at 10 of the 20 stores involved and spend $10 at each shop, or $100 total to be entered into a drawing to win $500 in gift cards from participating stores that include: Charleroi Subway, North Charleroi Dairy Queen,Joseph’s Nursery in Monessen Domenico’s On Grand in Monessen, It’s TotallyYou in Belle Vernon, Sweets by Mrs. C. In Monongahela, Creative Elegance in Belle Vernon, Sunrise Perks in Belle Vernon, His Place Coffee, Community & More in Monessen, Armando’s Pizza in Charleroi, Dawg’s Sports Bar & Grill in Rostraver Township, Prima Diva Boutique in Charleroi, Salon Seva in Charleroi, Ripepi Winery in Monongahela, River House Café in Charleroi, Studio K Salon & Spa in Charleroi,
Magic City Barber in Charleroi, Vintage & Vines in Belle Vernon, Sol Wellness in Rostraver Township and By George in Monessen.
“As always, we support our local membership and shopping small because it is the heartbeat of our Mon Valley,” Spada said. “Now more than ever we need to support shopping small because and our Mon Valley is starting to come back and businesses are growing.
“It is important to support your friends and neighbors. That is what we need to make sure the Mon Valley a place to put down roots, raise a family and make this a place to stay for generations and it starts by supporting your community.”
New Nationwide Initiative
For its 14th annual Small Business Saturday, American Express will introduce “Door to Shop Small.”
The campaign is an augmented reality experience to help get more shoppers across the country through the physical and virtual doors of businesses.
From Nov. 20-25, 2023, eligible American Express Card Members who make a single purchase of $50 or more by using their enrolled eligible Card at U.S. retailers in the “Shopping” category on the Shop Small Map or online directory, can earn a one-time, $5 statement credit. Enrollment is required and is limited.
“American Express has been a long-time advocate for small businesses – we work to deeply understand them and meet their evolving needs. We also understand the impact shopping small has on supporting local communities through our annual Small Business Saturday and year-round Shop Small campaigns,” said Elizabeth Rutledge, Chief Marketing Officer, American Express. “We hope Small Business Saturday and this year’s interactive experience excite and engage shoppers across the country during the kickoff to the important holiday shopping season.”
As part of the “Door to Shop Small” experience, physical, blue door frame installations will pop up on Saturday in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (Pioneer Court), Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City (AMC Plaza), and New York City’s Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District.
QR codes integrated into the doors will drive visitors to the AR experience where they can browse hand-picked products from a variety of small businesses.
American Express also launched a nationwide advertising campaign to drive consumers to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday, which includes social media content and outdoor digital screen placements appearing in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.