Bundled in coats, hats and gloves, families braced against the cold Saturday to continue a beloved tradition.
From toddlers to grandparents, more than small business fans of all ages lined up along Jefferson Street at the balloon-decorated entrance of the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce.
Even in the biting cold, more than 100 turned out to wait in line ahead of the chamber’s Small Business Saturday Start Here Open House event for their chance for Chamber Cash to put toward their purchases.
Small Business Saturday is an American Express-founded nationwide shopping event that reminds people of how much local businesses do for the economy. The day is one of the most exciting and profitable days of the year for the small boutiques that thrive in downtown Franklin.
The Franklin chamber builds excitement for the event each year and serves as a starting point with prizes and refreshments to kick off the day. There was coffee provided by Main & Madison and donut holes from Jack’s Donuts on Saturday.
Despite the cold weather, the first people in line arrived at about 8:45 a.m. In years when it is warmer, people sometimes start lining up at around 8 a.m., said Rosie Chambers, the chamber’s president and CEO.
The line at kick-off’s start of 10 a.m. was ever so slightly shorter than normal, but still stretched down the sidewalk from the chamber’s office to past Process Alliance. When all was said and done nearly every adult in line at opening got an envelope of Chamber Cash to put toward their purchases.
First in line this year were Dennis Hoggatt, Noreen Hoggatt, Glenn Faris and Brianna Faris. The family members have been first in line several times in the last few years and by now it is tradition. They were excited to check out old favorites like Wild Geese Bookshop and new businesses such as J Avenue Boutique, a clothing store that recently opened in the former Jessen Funeral Home.
Second in line was another family group. Ashley Cross came with her daughter, husband and mother to the event before they hit up some of their favorite shops including Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined and Upstairs Basement.
Families making the annual kick-off a tradition has been a theme.
“What I love to see is the generations that come out together as a family, and some people that we see year after year. I’ve seen this one little guy he started in the stroller, and now he’s kind of a teenager. That’s really fun to see,” Chambers said.
After the event, shoppers made a beeline to their favorite stores to spend their Chamber Cash.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are important to big box stores, but small business owners say Small Business Saturday and the holiday shopping season is a big day for them. With a diverse array of wares including fair trade leather goods, hand-poured candles, unique clothing, vintage glass, Christmas decor, books and toys, downtown Franklin was a destination that could check off items on many Christmas lists.
“We look forward to [Small Business Saturday]. Yesterday it was a crazy busy day for the other stores. It’s good for us to have one, too,” said Laney Cornett, owner of Upstairs Basement.
With fewer people out shopping in the cold winter months, the holiday season gives a needed infusion of cash to last into the new year.
“It is make or break for us. It is the last push for the year,” said Gwen Roehler, manager of FrenChic.
Business owners offer sales, free gifts and other gimmicks to get people in the door. But the collective push to show the best Franklin has to offer during Small Business Saturday helps draw people back year-round, said Tracy Bohler, owner of FarmGirl Mercantile.
“I think all of us working together today just brings more people into Franklin for the rest of the year. Because Franklin knows how to do Christmas,” Bohler said. “So they think ‘let’s come back, you know, later this spring and stuff.’ So I just it’s crucial.”
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In addition to sales, businesses promoted future events. Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined owner Christina Fletcher highlighted her new photo spot that is decorated as a fairy wonderland, as well as a new classroom space where the shop offers classes and crafting workshops. Taking a page from big box stores, Fletcher also offered “Possibilibucks” to spend at the store in January for every $50 spent. The promotion features Juliet, the shop’s dog, on the coupon.
The latest research from the National Federation of Independent Business indicates that 90% of small business owners have financially supported community or civil groups, charities, youth sports programs, schools, religious organizations, or similar activities in the last 12 months. Additionally, it is estimated that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the community.
Because small businesses give back, it is important to support them all year long, Chambers said.
“This is not just one day. Shopping small is a year-round thing,” Chambers said.
Restore Old Town Greenwood also held a Small Business Saturday event, with passports that could be stamped at participating businesses and turned in for prizes. The event kicked off during the organization’s Final Friday event and continued until Saturday.