Small Business Saturday
Shop Small markets give local vendors a new outlet
Two local small businesses each hosted Shop Small pop-up markets at their respective locations Saturday in the spirit of the national shopping movement Small Business Saturday.
Sylvia’s Little Treasures, in Brawley, and Odds & Ends, in Imperial, both opened up their businesses to a number of local food and clothing vendors, and offered discounts and small gifts for shoppers as well.
Although the line of customers waiting outside prior to Sylvia’s opening on Saturday morning may not have been the typical Black Friday-sized crowd, owner Sylvia Castaneda was nonetheless appreciative.
“I don’t usually open on weekends,” Castaneda said. “They knew we were going to open and as soon as we opened the door, we had people ready to come in. I love my customers.”
Castaneda has held a SBS event each year since opening her antique and collectibles store five years ago.
“I feel that it’s very important because, as a small business owner, we need people to know that we are important, too,” she said. “Just as much as the Black Friday, the big malls and big Walmarts and Targets get all that, we also need business, too. We want people to recognize us, too, and give us time.”
Created in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday is held the first weekend after Thanksgiving and encourages customers to explore the more personal, service-oriented experience dealing with small business has to offer.
Castaneda has noticed that more and more local shoppers have turned out to the movement each year.
“It’s grown a lot,” the shop owner said. “With customers, with the word getting out, with my vendors; It seems to be getting more traffic each time.”
For the event, Sylvia’s offered 15 percent off select items, as well as offered free reusable tote bags, a free Little Treasure gift from each vendor and light refreshments.
Among the vendors inside Sylvia’s was Brawley resident Judith Araiza, who was inspired by Castaneda to start her own small business, Vintage Farmhouse.
“I’ve been a customer here (Sylvia’s) for about four years and probably just started [Vintage Farmhouse] about six months ago,” Araiza said. “Basically she’s an inspiration to me with everything that she does. Not just for the shop, but for the community as well. She inspired me to bring out my pieces into her shop.”
Having her booth set up, which consisted of personalized Christmas ornaments and home décor items, among other vendors during the market was an enjoyable experience for Araiza.
“You don’t just set up then leave,” the Vintage Farmhouse owner said. “Everybody kind of knows each other, and we hang out. It’s nice to see the community come out and support small businesses.”
Araiza explained that shopping at and supporting local mom-and-pop businesses has an even greater impact than one might think.
“With small businesses, you’re not just coming in, buying stuff, taking it to your home, and it goes through the corporate ladder,” Araiza said. “When you shop small business, to me, you’re supporting someone’s dream. Some people never thought they’d be a business owner, and now they get the opportunity to live that. Maybe their kid wanted to join cheer or soccer, and that little extra income would pay for that.”
The exclusivity of products that small businesses offer is also a nice incentive to shop locally, the Araiza said.
“You’re not just shopping, and there are 10 ornaments that are the same,” Araiza said. “You’re going to get something that’s special.”
Outside of Sylvia’s was a sign encouraging shoppers to stroll further down Main Street to explore other locally owned businesses.
“It’s what keeps the community going, and it keeps us together,” Araiza said. “Yeah, you can fill this place up with a bunch of Walmarts and Targets, but it’s in the little stores, like this, where you get to know people and make friends with them. There’s something personal behind it.”
While Sylvia’s and Odds & Ends didn’t plan their market events together, the two businesses continue to support one and other.
“If somebody comes in and I don’t have a big furniture piece — because my stuff is smaller —I definitely send them over there with Kayla (Odds & Ends’ owner). She’s the one who’s got big furniture.”
“Even though it seems like we’re all competitors, and we wouldn’t do that, we do,” said Odds & Ends’ owner Kayla Dotson. “We definitely support all the local stores.”
Previously located on Main Street in El Centro, Odds & Ends moved to Imperial in June.
On Saturday, the furniture and home décor store’s parking lot had booths set up for about six local vendors.
Inside the store, co-owners Kayla and Julie Dotson brought out new merchandise and offered door-buster deals on select furniture pieces.
Further supporting the Small Business Saturday movement, Odds & Ends registered with American Express to be a Neighborhood Champion for SBS this year.
“They actually sent us free tote bags, free balloons and they sent us packs to go give out to other local businesses, so there’s a lot of marketing to promote it,” Kayla said. “We went out and gave packets to other small businesses. We also got business cards from other local businesses to put in the tote bags to hand out, just to spread the word about more business.”
The Dotsons have chosen to support Small Business Saturday each of the six years their store has been open due to the importance of shopping locally.
“I think it’s just important that people remember to shop locally and not just on Black Friday and at bigger retailers,” Kayla Dotson said. “They should also remember that there are a lot of small businesses to support, too. We need mom-and-pop businesses. It supports the Valley economy. If they shop here, then that enables us to shop here as well.”