Small Business Saturday showcases Valley businesses in downtown Glendale
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Black Friday may have brought shoppers out to check out deals from major retailers, but Saturday marks Small Business Saturday - a chance for the mom-and-pop shops to shine.
In historic downtown Glendale this Nov. 28, visitors can shop for holiday gifts while supporting local businesses being showcased in the area.
“Every time you purchase a gift from an artisan in a local gallery and find that perfect handcrafted necklace in your favorite local boutique, you help to promote a vibrant community,” said Lorraine Zomok, president of the Historic Downtown Glendale Merchants Association and owner of Memory Lane Trinkets and Treasures in a news release.
The Small Business Saturday event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and begins at the Arizona Information Center located inside Memory Lane Trinkets and Treasures. The first 50 visitors received a free tote bag.
Attendees are also encouraged to stay into the evening to enjoy the 28th year of the Glendale Glitters holiday light display.
"We opened about a year ago so we opened right during COVID, but nothing is going to stop us, because we are so happy to feature more than 30 local artisans --we’ve become an incubator for local artisans," said Zomok.
The pandemic has created so many challenges for small businesses.The Payroll Protection Program helped some, but most of that money has been spent. A successful holiday weekend could right the ship for struggling stores.
"An estimated 100,000 businesses have closed due to COVID, so today is one of those days you get to come back out, shift some of your dollars, especially for the holiday season," Zomok said.
Attendees Kraig Johnson and Rachelle Zeitlin came out to fill their backpacks and make sure their dollars mattered.
"Why not give it to the people that really need it right now, which is the small businesses?" Zeitlin said.
Johnson said it's a gesture that makes a bigger difference.
"It feels like you’re doing something more by going to a small restaurant or store," said Johnson.
Small businesses hope the holiday season will bring in lots of dollars every week as this difficult year comes to an end.
"It really is the opportunity to reconnect with local mom and pop shops - not only through a tour of downtown Glendale, but throughout the country," Lorraine Zomok said.
Learn more: https://visitdowntownglendale.com/
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