Small Business Saturday will be in full swing tomorrow, as local businesses have geared up for a weekend full of deals.
Following Black Friday, the perhaps lesser-known but equally valuable Small Business Saturday takes place. The day is meant to inspire shoppers to take a step back from the big chain retailers, and to shop local small businesses for their holiday gifts.
Although Small Business Saturday may not feature the injury-worthy deals Black Friday brings at big box stores, Small Business Saturday brings with it the special touches that local shops provide every day: one-on-one help, personal understanding, locally-made goods, and homegrown values.
Several businesses in Turlock’s downtown have participated in Small Business Saturday for the past few years, and are excited to see tomorrow’s turnout.
Vintage Market, a home décor and antique store at 210 E. Main St., will be offering deals from each of its vendors, according to Jennie Fuentes of J. Blackbird.
Fuentes, like many other vendors at Vintage Market, volunteers at the store to stay involved in the business.
Fuentes runs J. Blackbird with her daughter, Andie Fuentes. The line offers wares of a certain “French-y look” as Jennie Fuentes described it, including French Provincial furniture, metal works, ironstone dishes, and, for the holidays, Christmas trees.
Vintage Market, like any of the big box stores, brings in more workers for the weekend to ensure every customer’s needs are met. Jennie Fuentes said that she feels the spirit of holiday shopping from Black Friday spills over to Saturday, which is a good thing for local businesses.
“It’s to the benefit of everybody down on this street for the small businesses to participate – and they do,” said Fuentes.
Along with the deals, Vintage Market will be offering hot cider and other refreshments today and tomorrow.
Vintage Market is in its fourth year of business, and as far as Jennie knows has participated in Small Business Saturday each of those years.
Jennie Fuentes also discussed the rising trend of small business being opened by women and mothers as co-ops for other vendors to participate.
“We’re finding that in Ripon, we’re finding that in Oakdale, Turlock– as you can see there are new businesses opening up in Turlock,” said Jennie Fuentes. “It’s very exciting. It gives a lot of the creative, young mothers an opportunity to sell their wares at these venues. People are opening up venues for that. It’s much needed.”
Along with Vintage Market, Bilson’s Sport Shop at 201 Lander Ave., has seen a rise in business this holiday weekend, and is looking forward to continuing deals through tomorrow’s Small Business Saturday.
“With all the hype and everything out there, people are expecting everybody to have deals so they’re coming in at least to check it out to see if what they’re looking for is on sale,” said Steve Moe, co-owner of Bilson’s Sport Shop. “But we’ve had a steady flow of traffic today.”
Bilson’s will be running firearm specials, and other sports equipment deals for the rest of the weekend.
Moe chuckled at the gun department full of male shoppers, noting that it may just have something to do with all the women in their families heading out for deals today on their own.
Moe was happy to see the turnout today, and, like Vintage Market, will have extra employees on staff during the deal days.
“We make sure that everybody will get help when they come down here,” said Moe. “We’ll make sure there’s enough people to help everybody.”
Bilson’s has been in business for over 55 years, operating at its current location since 1979.
