Small business owners explain why it’s important to shop local

While Black Friday may be over for many retail outlets the weekend marks Small Business Saturday across the nation.

It’s a day where shoppers are encouraged to shop local.

Some said local shops are the back bone of the community and business owners tell ABC-7 why it’s important to shop local.

“Our store has been open since 1975. My dad started it and it’s been here 42 years,” Donna Herndon-Suitor runs Herndon’s Gift Shop.

The store that’s nestled in the lower valley sells seasonal ornaments, glassware, trinkets, purses, jewelry and iron housewares.

“You get unique items that you won’t get at the box stores,” Herndon-Suitor.

She said having a local business means closer ties to the community.

“We have some employees that are like family they are important to us,” Herdon-Suitor said.

Herndon-Suitor told ABC-7 holidays are important for their sales.

“The Christmas season is about 30 percent of our business,” Herndon-Suitor said.

And if purses aren’t your thing and you have that friend that prefers a tasty beverage.

“All the beers we carry are from Texas, eight are from El Paso,” Moises Valdez said.

Valdez opened Tinman in January.

You can have them fill up a growler to go. Even the art work on the 64-ounce glass jugs are local.

And for those music lovers…

“Support small, it’s like against the big guys,” said George Reynosa.

Reynosa opened All That Music in 1980.

It’s touted as the collectors market place. Besides a wide array of music they have movies, posters, bags and patches.

Reynosa says there’s an advantage to shopping local.

“All of our better customers become friends,” Reynosa said.

But above all, every shop owner told ABC-7 the best reason to shop local is

“Profits stay in your hometown,” Reynosa said.

“It helps our local economy,” Valdez added.

“By shopping local you support your neighborhood you support the people who are in this community,” Herndon said.

According to Forbes magazine small businesses drive much of the United States economy. Currently, there are 28 million American small businesses, which account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.