One of the most popular traditions after Thanksgiving is to wait in long lines outside of big box retailers in anticipation of Black Friday deals and savings. But in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, local business owners are preparing for the next round in the frenzy of holiday shopping: Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday, which began in Nov. 2010 around the United States, is being localized in the heart of Historic Downtown Plant City. On Saturday, Nov. 28, residents can flock to local shops to find deals and unique gifts that are sparse at department stores.
This year, shopping addicts can look forward to about 12 downtown businesses participating in Small Business Saturday.
“All downtown shops know that it’s going on,” David Schultz, owner of curated boutique marketplace Plant City Mercantile, said.
Schultz, who is also a member of the City-supported Main Street Program in Historic Downtown, said that this year businesses have used social media to promote the annual national event.
“Through everybody’s Facebook page and Instagram, we’re trying to make people aware,” he said. “It’s important. Social media is incredibly important to retail businesses these days.”
On social media sites, Plant City Mercantile has showcased items, such as jewelry and antiques, that will be for sale by over 30 vendors on Small Business Saturday.
“It’s a good deal, it’s growing,” Schultz said. “We want to make it grow here in Plant City. People are becoming more cognizant of their downtown.”
Although the Main Street Program, a revitalization effort, has focused on drawing people to Historic Downtown with Small Business Saturday, shops all over Plant City will be participating.
“When I say shop locally, I mean shop Plant City,” Schultz said.
Small Business Saturday is not in competition with Black Friday, but one that offers shoppers a unique, personable experience.
“They’ll miss a lot of unique home decor and gift items not offered or not available at the box stores,” Schultz said.
As Plant City continues to grow and focus on economic development, Schultz hopes that that Small Business Saturday will grow with it.
He would like to see Small Business Saturday blossom into an event that allows businesses to remain individual but part of a conjoined effort. The event would have food, music, sidewalk sales and would bring even more people to Plant City’s Historic Downtown.
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
About the Day
Small Business Saturday began in Nov. 2010 as a follow-up to Black Friday. Instead of promoting large retail stores that sell many of the same items, Small Business Saturday promotes the shop small, buy local movement. The American Express Corporation trademarked the term
Small Business Saturday.
Where to Shop
Shops in Historic Downtown will be offering special deals and unique gifts on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28. Plant City Mercantile will have 30 vendors.
Other stores around Plant City will also be participating, such as RAOK Boutique and Fringe Boutique.
RAOK: 2804 James L. Redman Parkway #103
Fringe: 601 E. Alexander St.
