GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — West Michigan business owners hope people will do their holiday shopping locally on Small Business Saturday.
Grand Rapids business owner Amy Rice said her small business on Wealthy Street, Art to the Table, is the go-to spot for hosting.
“We call it 'The Products For Entertainment Store.' So, if you are going to throw a cool party or have just one person over, whatever you want, we have wine, beer and spirits,” said Rice.
For 22 years, she’s been able to provide gourmet food, table settings and drinks, thanks to the support of her community.
Which is why when it comes to Small Business Saturday, she said it’s a reminder of how important it is to shop locally.
“We love that the Small Business Saturday has really just continued to be a thing and puts in people’s to help them to remember that it's really important to support us all,” said Rice.
She said shopping locally not only helps keep money within the community, it also supports businesses owners creativity.
“We dreamed up these things and we put them together. We like people to come in and say, 'I’m inspired by this,' 'I would like to eat that,' or 'I would like to wear that,' and it just really helps people be unique individuals of their own in a community,” said Rice.
Down at the Fulton Street Market, fellow small business owner Barbra Mojzak, who owns Seam Smart Designs, said she agrees.
“It's the uniqueness for us. Every pair is different. Every pair is unique. And people come by and pick them out because they like the color combinations, which you don't get when you get, you know, mass production,” said Mojzak.
She also said shopping locally helps people create bonds with one another.
“I love interaction. That's what I love about being a small businessperson. It's contact with the customer,” said Mojzak.
