Plant City’s small shops hope for big Saturday turnout
Small Business Saturday proves that Black Friday isn’t the only consistent shopping day right after turkey day.
This annual weekend day takes place every Saturday after Thanksgiving.
It is the alternative to the major traffic in and out of shopping malls and retail stores on Black Friday.
American Express established this retail event over a decade ago and coined its name.
Since then, the newly recognized day has been promoted through social media as well as traditional outlets such as television and radio.
According to the American Express Shop Small Impact survey, over half of small businesses surveyed said that this year’s Small Business Saturday will have a big impact on their sales going into 2022.
It goes on to state that buyers at small businesses could potentially give an estimated $695 billion contribution to the economy.
Plant City’s small retail industry tends to have an ebb and flow when it comes to Small Business Saturday.
Your Family Jeweler needs to see that growth, said owner Michael Hamilton.
For several years, he has had to close on Small Business Saturday due to low turnout.
However, since its establishment in 2000, the jewelry store has seen a rise in sales for the holiday on a whole, compared to average numbers throughout the year.
“It’s a good thing and a bad thing, because you’ve got four weeks of running to get everything done on time,” said Hamilton.
Southern Hospitality in Plant City doesn’t see a dip in sales on that particular Saturday, said owner Shelly Connell.
While this furniture gallery isn’t necessarily ‘small’ in size, it has been deeply rooted in Plant City for many years.
“We never open on Sundays, so Saturdays are crazy here,” said Connell.
Southern Hospitality has been overseen by a family of four generations and relies solely on word of mouth, as it doesn’t post advertisements.
However, with no retail sales ever offered, the gallery still has a strong momentum whether it be on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday.
Depot Antiques is one of many small businesses to line the streets of the downtown district.
Owner Marc Josselyn said that Saturdays are his best days for business, and Small Business Saturday has no decline in sales either.
“We get a lot of people from out of town that just want to do something for the day,” he said.
Josselyn stated that where he is among other antique shops is a convenient location and Small Business Saturday shows nothing but signs of optimism.
