Small Business Saturday could make or break local retailers

Every year we hear about large crowds in shopping malls, but small business has become big in recent years.

Old Colorado City pulled out all the stops Saturday night.

Behind the glowing Christmas lights, roving carolers and bell choirs, lies pressure on small businesses.

“On Black Friday, everybody hits the malls,” said Mary Koehler, public relations director of Michael Garman Productions. “They forget that shops like this, we need the Christmas shopping as well.”

The sculpture museum and gallery started here in Colorado Springs but has spread nationwide.

But a big chunk of business is still in southern Colorado.

“Seventy percent of what we do relies on our local military, firefighters our neighbors who shop here to get their Christmas presents,” Koehler said.

Small businesses raked in $5 billion last year.

“The mom-and-pop shops are the personality of every community,” she said. “The fact that Old Colorado City is thriving on small business Saturday, shows people have a reason to go to their local main street.”

And their customers see something more than just a shopping spree

“I like the mom-and-pop shops better than the big stores,” said shopper Alexis Drake. “They usually have more unique gifts than the stores do.”

“It really ties the community together,” said shopper Beth Young.