While people crowd the big box stores on Black Friday, small businesses are trying to promote another day for local shopping: Small Business Saturday.
Smaller shop owners said they need foot traffic inside their stores after the COVID pandemic.
Amanda Marie, the owner of Blessed and Boujee Boutique in Oceanside, has special plans to attract customers for Small Business Saturday.
“Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday we have 20% off the whole store,” she said. “We have a Sip and Shop planned, we have ONEHOPE Wine coming to do a wine tasting. Ten percent of our proceeds will be going to a battered women's shelter.”
While people may start their holiday shopping online even before Black Friday, Marie hopes people will still shop at small local businesses.
“You don't really realize it, but one sale really supports a dream, and shopping local really makes a difference for a small business owner,” she said.
Marie said most small businesses have also had to shift some sales to online. But, she said she wants a return to in person shopping.
“During the pandemic, we had our online website and online was the way to go, but we’re so personable,” she said. “We want to meet you, we want to greet you and get to know you guys as our customers.”
Marie said it's hard to keep up with the trends, especially running social media for her business.
“People think they walk in the store and they see all the glimmer and the lights and the beautiful things,“ she said. “It's very hard.”
But Marie said she has made her boutique a one stop shop for women of all shapes and sizes.
“My goal is to inspire women to shop confidently,” she said. ”Being a plus size woman, I know it's extremely hard to find the right clothing these days, and I’m just so excited to be able to offer a little something for everyone. If you’re a size small or a 3 XL, it doesn't matter, we got something for you.”
Blessed and Boujee Boutique will have their Sip and Shop event on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m.
