×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Holiday Shoppers Encouraged To Support Local Businesses

Photo Provided – Karen Friel, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia district director, urges everyone to make it a point to do as much holiday shopping as they can at local small businesses this year.

WHEELING — The holiday shopping season traditionally begins today, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, bargain hunters are being encouraged to shop locally and support area businesses that have endured unprecedented economic challenges this year.

While many consumers jump on the growing trend of shopping online — especially in light of the pandemic, local small business owners are going the extra mile to make their shops safe in hopes of keeping retail dollars flowing during the holiday shopping season.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s district office in West Virginia, shoppers came out in full force last year during Small Business Saturday — the day following the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday shopping frenzy that is designed to help local businesses during the holidays. A record high estimate of $19.6 billion was set nationally last year on Small Business Saturday.

Karen Friel, district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia office, said shoppers can follow social distancing guidelines to safely shop at local retailers in-person — and in many cases — even in the convenience of their own homes with virtual shopping options small businesses are now making available.

“Many small businesses are offering a variety of ways to shop, including ordering online and picking up via curbside,” Friel said. “Small businesses need our support more than ever right now, so check with your local small businesses, chambers of commerce and other local organizations on how you can ‘#shopsmall’ to support small businesses this shopping season.”

Erikka Storch, president of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber’s traditional Small Business Saturday efforts extend beyond just Saturday, and the program has been adjusted this year because of the pandemic.

The Wheeling Area Chamber’s annual Boutique Week kicks off Saturday and continues through the following Saturday, Dec. 5.

People who shop local boutiques and small businesses can enter a chance to win up to $300 in gift certificates and more through this special holiday promotional event.

“I believe this is our fifth year for Boutique Week,” Storch said, noting that in the past, participants would have a “passport” that received a stamp each time they made a purchase at a participating local merchant. “This year, we didn’t want to have stamps. We want to be responsive to COVID guidelines, so we will be accepting copies of receipts sent to us virtually. We want to keep offering some of our traditional ‘events’ that people enjoy, and we want to be able to do it safely and responsibly.”

Boutiques and other local businesses can offer unique finds and a treasure trove of special gift ideas, which are often perfect for those “hard-to-shop-for” recipients. Supporting these businesses is important to the local economy, particularly this year, Storch noted.

“So many of our members — even many of those who have been deemed ‘essential workers’ — have had a hard time this year,” she said. “It’s been really tough to survive. You’ve got to remember that these are the businesses that are sponsoring team sports for our kids and are the ones we reach out to for donations for a steak fry and our fundraisers.”

Storch said the local community offers a perfect mix of national chain retailers and a variety of local shops. Many businesses have hired extra cleaning crews, set up social-distancing protocols inside their stores and installed clear plexiglass panels to provide barriers between customers and cashiers. Some have even offered special seniors-only shopping hours to encourage customers that they can safely do business in their stores.

“For every dollar spent locally, 67 cents stays in the community,” Storch noted.

In recent years, big box retailers began kicking off their Black Friday shopping events earlier and earlier until many of them had to kick off their sales on Thanksgiving Day in order to keep up with the competition. Because of the pandemic this year, only a handful of the national retail chains and pharmacies opened their doors on Thanksgiving for limited hours.

“That’s one good thing that came out of this year — it’s been a refreshing return to focus more on family time,” Storch noted. “I think we’ve gotten away from that over the past couple of years.”

Many local stores planned to open their doors early this morning for Black Friday specials, and Small Business Saturday marks the beginning of Boutique Week. Check the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce website and social media pages for details on how to participate.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today