Local businesses prepare for Small Business Saturday
Black Friday is no longer what it used to be, crowds no longer camp out overnight in anticipation for door buster deals at national retailers.
Instead the camping out is typically done before Thanksgiving since so many retailers open their doors on the holiday.
For those looking to make an impact on their community’s local economy, Small Business Saturday (November 24) is also a day to do holiday shopping and support local shops and restaurants.
Sisters Cassie McGlohon and Lexi Johnson are owners of Dos Femmes, a boutique that sells apparel and jewelry for men and women. They’re hoping to get additional customers on Saturday.
“Small businesses give you that unique, hand-crafted, homemade feel and that’s what we try to bring to the store,” Johnson said.
Bringing Dos Femmes to fruition had its share of challenges, especially when it came to looking for a location.
Johnson said many shopping centers were not willing to give a locally-owned business an opportunity to open their doors.
“A lot of the more popular shopping centers told us ‘well we’re looking for national clients, we don’t want any local business,” Johnson said.
The U.S. Small Business Administration reported in 2017 an estimated 108 million consumers nationwide “shopped small.” Americans spent a combined $12 billion at independent neighborhood retailers and restaurants.
In 2016, the SBA reported small business loans increased more than twenty percent from the year before in El Paso.
“Small businesses are the backbone of this country. If that disappears you’re going to be left with your cookie-cutter stores,” Johnson said.
Dos Femmes is located at the Marketplace at Placita Santa Fe, 5034 Doniphan Dr.
Small Business Saturday is recognized on November 24.
Here are some El Paso shopping centers with locally-owned business:
TI:ME at Montecillo
5001 N Mesa St.
Downtown El Paso– Downtown Management District
Store hours may vary
Ardovinos Farmers Market
Saturday, November 24
9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1 Ardovino Drive, Sunland Park, NM
El Paso Downtown Art and Farmers Market
Saturday, November 24
10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
117 Anthony St.
Marketplace at Placita Santa Fe
5034 Doniphan Dr.
Opens at 10:00 a.m.
