Big shopping, small businesses
Robin Gilmore is planning giveaways and discounts today and Saturday at Vintage Suitcase & Tea Room, her small specialty store on South Scenic Avenue between Grand and Mt. Vernon streets, Springfield.
Tucked away on its own without support of a shopping mall or center, she relies on social media and email to encourage shoppers to stop by for Small Business Saturday, a Thanksgiving weekend shopping movement that's been gaining ground nationwide since it was launched in 2010 by American Express.
Across town, Countryside Cottage is decked out for the holidays and promoting discounts to draw shoppers, as are dozens of local retailers throughout Springfield and the Ozarks. Not only that, small business destinations including Downtown Springfield, and a new online marketplace through the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, are taking advantage of the call to "shop small."
"I think the small businesses have so much to offer," Gilmore said. "And we know the customers. I think you lose that in the big box stores, and unless they shop us, we aren't going to be here."
Grayson Home, a furniture, home and gift shop on Walnut Street, had posted a "Shop Small" logo on its Facebook page earlier this week. The store owned by Ryan Rosenquist and Clive Gray is promoting specials today and Saturday, Rosenquist said. And like other shops,it will serve refreshments.
Brent McCoy, vice president of membership for the Chamber, said local shopping habits have changed and more people make a conscious effort to support local businesses, helping Small Business Saturday become more visible. "I think where we are today versus five years ago, the trend is much stronger now," he said.
It's not just happening in the Ozarks.
A recent Thanksgiving Weekend Expectations survey commissioned by the National Retail Federation showed that in addition to 95 million people who said they planned to shop Black Friday sales, 60 million plan to shop also on Saturday. Of those, nearly three-quarters said they will or may shop specifically for Small Business Saturday, the NRF survey revealed.
Springfield residents have a strong commitment to community businesses, McCoy said, but could do better. A study through the Chamber several years showed $9.1 million leaves the local economy daily because of out-of-area spending. That includes online shopping.
Some of that we can't get back, McCoy said, "but if individuals and business put just 5 percent back into the Springfield area community, that's almost $500,000 a day of additional revenue spent on the local economy."
That's why awareness campaigns such as Small Business Saturday are important, he said.
Last year Rosenquist said Grayson Home had about as many shoppers on Black Friday as Small Business Saturday. Even so, it can be tricky to get people who live on the south side to try shopping downtown, he said, because of outdated impressions that the area is just about bars and college students. His store was a few months old during the 2103 holiday shopping season. This year, he said, the store has a larger section and has come to be known for its candles and men's gift selections, in addition to home and furniture goods.
Ann McCoy (not related to Brent), who established Countryside Cottage 32 years ago, said she believes customers make a point of shopping local on Small Business Saturday. She thinks shoppers have been holding back a bit so far this year and not buying as much for themselves. She hopes the holiday discount will encourage shopping for gifts, home goods, jewelry and more in her store. "They are looking for really good bargains, trying to make their dime go farther. And I can understand that," she said.
Gilmore's shop features vintage decor and antiques along with new home and gift items, including ribbons, decorating books, candles, dishes, and holiday ornaments. She also recently added a women's clothing line. Like McCoy and other small retail owners, Gilmore said she looks for many items shoppers won't find in big box stores. She also expressed hope that shoppers will visit other retailers in her vicinity, including Wickman's Garden Village, Mike's Unique and Relics Antique Mall.
One new program the Chamber launched in September, Brent McCoy said, merges online shopping with buying local. The Member Marketplace is an online shopping site where Chamber members can post discounts or services through their business. But anyone in the community can shop the Marketplace, or even submit a request for a service or product. McCoy encourages local consumers to check it for Small Business Saturday.
"We want to bridge the gap," McCoy said. "You can still go online but keep dollars in Springfield."
Laura Head, communications manager for Downtown Springfield, said downtown retailers were encouraged to actively participate in the Small Business Saturday by offering specials and discounts. Mary Collette, president of Commercial Club of Springfield which promotes Historic C-Street, said she hopes shoppers will remember retail stores on Commercial Street too. "I know a lot of the businesses have spoken about (Small Business Saturday) and are very excited about it."
For downtown shops, Head pulled together a roundup of discounts happening today, Saturday, and for some shops, even Sunday. "Our local retailers downtown do have one-of-a kind gifts," she said. "What's great, too, is that they are affordable."
Last year's Small Business Saturday was as big, if not bigger than Black Friday in terms of traffic, she said. "Our businesses really count on it to be a great day and a great boost for their revenues."
Rosenquest said he and his business partner often work with other nearby shops, including Modern Society across the street and A Cricket in the House down the street. "There is power in advertising together," he said. "We've got to turn downtown into an actual (shopping) destination."
Bryan Simpson, who owns Five Pound Apparel, said Small Business Saturday and Black Friday have been successful revenue days for his store in past years. Like other businesses, he relies heavily on social media to get the word out about special discounts.
"For the last two years, we've had a line all the way down South Street," he said. "Saturday is our busiest day of the year."
This year, a second store in Southeast Springfield's Farmers Park has the same discounts and giveaways as shoppers will find at his downtown store. He, too, believes customers make a point to shop small businesses.
"Yeah, it's really neat at the cash register to hear where they are going," he said. "A lot of times what we hear is they are trying to support locally owned businesses and they are not doing the Walmarts."
Shopping Small Business Saturday
There are a number websites to help you find local retailers to shop. Many are using Facebook, social media accounts and business websites to promote specials today, Saturday and Sunday. Search online for a specific store. In addition, try these websites:
General area
• https://shopsmallnow.americanexpress.com/ShopSmall — Click "Find Businesses" at top, then follow search messages until you click on "shopping" near Springfield. We found 100 businesses listed for Springfield.
• http://www.springfieldmo.org/shopping — Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau has a nice list of local retailers, including specific destination areas
Downtown
• http://www.itsalldowntown.com/event/holiday-shop-downtown — Roundup of shops offering Thanksgiving weekend discounts in Downtown Springfield
Chamber of Commerce Marketplace
• http://www.springfieldchamber.com/membermarketplace/ — Online marketplace where area Chamber member businesses post services and discounts; anyone can shop the discounts or make requests
More info about Small Business Saturday
• https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday
• www.sba.gov/smallbusinesssaturday
Small business statistics
• The 23 million small businesses in America account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.
• Small businesses provide 55 percent of all jobs and 66 percent of all net new jobs since the 1970s.
• The small business sector in America occupies 30-50 perecent of all commercial space, an estimated 20-34 billion square feet.
• The 600,000-plus franchised small businesses in the U.S. account for 40 percent of all retail sales and provide jobs for some 8 million people.
— Source: sba.gov
National support
Support for small businesses is strong in Springfield across the nation. That includes the White House according to a statement of support from President Barack Obama, dated Nov. 25. It says in part, "America's small business owners are on the front lines when it comes to creating new jobs and opportunities. ... Small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities ... As we mark Small Business Saturday, let us continue to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit wherever we find it."