4th annual small business event to be held Saturday

Several local owners of small businesses said an annual nationwide promotional event has brought them more customers and better sales.

The event, Small Business Saturday, will be held tomorrow for the fourth straight year at participating businesses. SBS takes place on the Saturday after the Black Friday shopping rush, but many merchants include Friday as well.

SBS is designed to promote small businesses and attract customers in ways that set them apart from larger retailers — such as with personal service, unique products, refreshments and special discounts.

“We have hand-selected products,” said Jennifer Johnstone, manager at the AbaTina Boutique on 8th Street in Colorado Springs. “We’ll help you pick something for everyone on your list, and we’ll wrap it for you free. The big (stores) aren’t going to do that.”

Johnstone said the boutique, which has been open for 10 years, is participating in SBS for the second year.

“Do we need it? I don’t know that we do,” she said. “But it certainly gives us the opportunity to showcase (ourselves) to a group of people who may not know about us.”

Involved in SBS for the third year is Rich Designs Home, a home-accessories store near the Southgate area of Colorado Springs.

Manager Melissa Svenby said the event means more than just making a profit.

“We have customer relationships,” she said. “The money and promotion are great but we have relationships as well. That’s what is really important.”

Svenby suggested that similar events be scheduled at other times of the year to keep small businesses in the public’s awareness.

Kathy Schaeffer, who visited Rich Designs for the first time, said she prefers small businesses to the crowds at larger stores.

“I get to walk around on my own, it’s not crowded and it’s very personable,” she said.

Leslie Craighead is in town from Reno, Nevada, and shopped at AbaTina for the first time.

“It’s lovely, especially the pottery pieces,” she said. “I could spend a lot of money here.”

Which is exactly what small business owners want to hear more of.

To learn which local businesses have registered for SBS, check the map at: https://shopsmallnow.americanexpress.com/ShopSmall?linknav=us-loy-open-shopsmall-visitthemap.