On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, mid-day foot traffic in St. Augustine’s historic district was heavy as expected during a long holiday weekend. With Black Friday the day before mainly focused on big box stores, and Cyber Monday dedicated to online deals, American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010. The idea was to encourage people to “shop small” the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Five or six customers perused unique teas, spice blends, salts and sugars at The Spice & Tea Exchange on Hypolita Street downtown. Angie Fletcher, store manager, said the shop was busy Friday and Saturday, but they didn’t actively promote Small Business Saturday this year.
“With the influx of tourists, we don’t have many locals this weekend,” she said. “We’ll run specials during the week when they’re more likely to come downtown.”
Stephanie Sisson, Taylor Jefferson and Alexis Routa came from Sarasota to see the Nights of Lights. They were not aware of Small Business Saturday, but were just checking out the downtown shops.
“We just love it here,” Sisson said. “It’s our first Nights of Lights.”
H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes, in business since 1894, is located on St. George Street. Owner Robert Lichter said the shop is a local destination as well as a stop for tourists. They have seasonal customers return each year. Store manager Mark Bowen said they didn’t participate in Small Business Saturday.
“We get a half million people this week,” Bowen said. “It’s tough competing with online (merchants). The only way to survive is to constantly be changing.”
Over the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island, High Tide Gallery owner Wayne McNees said he did some Small Business Saturday promotions on Facebook and Instagram. The gallery recently relocated from downtown.
“One advantage is we have plenty of free parking,” McNees said. “A disadvantage is we don’t have tourists walking by.”
He said the gallery relies on locals and tourists who return each year. The First Friday Art Walks also boost business.
According to a 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study of businesses with fewer than 100 employees, for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community.
Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Isabelle Renault recently stated, “Support for small, local businesses is not just helpful to their owners, but is essential to the community as a whole.”
Small Business Saturday has passed, but holiday shoppers can still support the local economy and find unique gifts at area brick and mortar stores or purchase gift certificates to locally owned restaurants, gyms, spas or salons.
