Plant City flourishes under the premise that a strong community equates to a prospering town.
Jane Waters, the interim executive director of Historic Plant City Main Street, takes that philosophy to heart. Though she has only been in the position a few weeks, she wants to help boost engagement throughout the city in it’s small businesses.
Waters asked local shops to partner with Main Street to honor the nationally recognized Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25 in an event called Shop Small Plant City. She said she hopes to draw residents downtown to do some of their holiday shopping in their hometown, rather than online or at a mall.
“The reason we want to shop small is to continue to have vibrant downtown areas,” Waters said. “I don’t think any of us can deny that shopping online is easier, but when you have a beautiful downtown district you want to support the shops that are there.
Though the campaign is new to Main Street, several local shops have been participating for years. This is the first time, however, the city has united to make a one-stop experience for shoppers. One of the larger events is being hosted by the Corner Store, which is putting on a Holiday Maker Market.
Cynthia Diaz, owner of the Corner Store, said she has always participated in the holiday and pushes community engagement every day by selling local products in her store and hosting local groups. When Waters came to her with the idea of making a united event, Diaz told her she “wouldn’t miss it.”
“Shopping local makes your whole community better,” Diaz said. “Instead of spending money at a major corporation you’re helping send a kid to summer camp, you’re helping people around you. That’s why when I opened the store 10 years ago I opened it here in Plant City, where I lived. I probably could have done a lot more business somewhere else but I wanted to make my own community better.”
The market will feature approximately 10 local vendors selling everything from jewelry to leather goods. Diaz partnered with Make Plant City for the event and said they will also have lots of holiday related food items at the store.
There are more than 2 million small businesses in Florida alone, which account for approximately 99% of all businesses, according to the Office of Advocacy’s Small Business Profile. These local businesses employ over 40% of Floridians, which is why the holiday was created seven years ago to push for the return of supporting communities rather than relying solely on large corporations.
Though individual businesses in Plant City have recognized the holiday for years, Waters said she is hopeful Main Street will soon be able to make it into a large, city-wide event.
“I wish I had been in position earlier for this particular event because I think it is so important to economic vitality that when we have an opportunity to celebrate our community’s small businesses that we do it really well,” Waters said. “I’m currently the interim executive director but next year this program needs to be a truly celebrated Saturday in our town. We need to promote small businesses in the historic district.”
Waters said Plant City is unique in its varied shops and markets. She said the many antique stores, boutiques and organizations ensure shoppers can find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on their list. The Corner Store is joined by other businesses like I Hate My Trainer and Aromatic Harmony for Shop Small. Aromatic Harmony is giving free gifts to the first 10 people who come through its door Saturday.
If all goes to plan, next year will see all of downtown united for Shop Small. Waters said she has been involved in similar projects before and it never fails to unify merchants and create a stronger sense of community. Any businesses that wish to partner for next year should contact Main Street as soon as possible.
“These events have been going on for ages in Lake Wales and Winter Haven and we know St. Pete and our Hillsborough friends are doing the same,” Waters said. “It’s time Plant City shows off all it has to offer. We have a beautiful, quaint district here and I want to make sure they have every opportunity to show the community all they have to offer.”