Mid-Ohio Valley shoppers buy into Small Business Saturday

Threadz Boutique owner Darla Bonnette straightens merchandise as shoppers peruse her store during Small Business Saturday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

PARKERSBURG — Residents of the Mid-Ohio Valley and beyond had the chance to show their support for area small businesses Saturday.

Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express to celebrate small businesses’ contribution to their communities and give people an opportunity to support these businesses by shopping at them.

The Parkersburg Art Center has been holding its Open House and Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House for at least 18 years, according to Managing Director Jessie Siefert. It’s now done in conjunction with Small Business Saturday as a way to help artists make a living at their craft.

“It’s just an excellent way to highlight the creative talent we have in the area,” Siefert said.

The event had 16 art vendors set up with tables selling their wares, including paintings and art prints, baked goods, jewelry, decorative items and more.

Ravenswood resident and wood-turner Larry Weese Jr., left, shows Belpre resident Tammy Meek one of his pieces during the Parkersburg Art Center’s Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House Saturday as part of Small Business Saturday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Attendees could come for free and also had the opportunity to shop in the Art Center’s gift shop which features more than 70 artists’ items, according to Siefert.

The Art Center also took the opportunity to unveil its Artist Trees, 18 in total, designed and decorated by volunteers in the style of famous artists. They held a scavenger hunt for children to help them learn about these artists and there was hot cocoa, coffee and cookies, she said.

Events like this are important because “it helps draw attention to the Art Center and our gift shop” and it helps support all the programming at the center, Siefert said.

Ravenswood resident Larry Weese Jr. said he has been a wood-turner for 18 years and he sells his items in the Art Center’s gift shop but this was the first time he participated in the Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House.

His handmade pieces take more than a year to finish, according to Weese.

St. Marys residents, from left, Jenny Brewer and Jan Brewer walk down Front Street in Marietta Saturday afternoon to shop during Small Business Saturday. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Participating in events like the Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House “helps me on sales,” Weese said. “It also helps people associate things in the gift shop with a face. I can tell the story behind the piece.

“It’s been good,” he said of the event. “There’s been a nice flow. … I’m happy.”

Belpre resident Tammy Meek and Little Hocking resident Gabbie Dye came to the event for the first time Saturday.

“It’s really great,” Dye said. “I’m excited to see the stuff. … We love to look at handcrafted items.”

“It’s beautiful stuff,” Meek said of the artist’s wares. “I love art.”

As part of Small Business Saturday, the Parkersburg Art Center held its annual Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House Saturday, with artists selling their items including paintings, art prints, decorative objects, jewelry, baked goods and more. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Businesses in Marietta also participated in Small Business Saturday, including Threadz Boutique on Front Street.

Threadz offered 15% off purchases of $100 and jewelry was buy one get one half off, according to Threadz Owner Darla Bonnette. Customers who bought a $50 gift card received a free $10 gift card and for every purchase customers got a free gift, she said. They were able to choose between a tote with a hand sanitizer in it or a pair of socks and a bath burst, she said.

Bonnette said she has participated in every Small Business Saturday in the six-and-a-half years her store has been open.

She said Saturday the store had been “very busy” and business had been “very steady.”

“It’s been a lot of fun today,” Bonnette said.

Artists gathered at the Parkersburg Art Center Saturday as part of Small Business Saturday to participate in the center’s annual Artists’ Market and Holiday Open House during which they sold their items including paintings and art prints, decorative objects, jewelry, baked goods and more. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

Events like Small Business Saturday are “extremely important” for her business.

“When it comes to any event … they’re all very important. They can make or break the difference for your month,” Bonnette said.

Small Business Saturday helps set the store up for the slow months of January through March, she said.

“Marietta and the surrounding area, they’re an amazing community that helps so much,” Bonnette said. “They keep us alive.”

St. Marys resident Jan Brewer was walking with a shopping bag down Front Street Saturday afternoon, along with her daughter Jenny Brewer, who is also from St. Marys.

A sign outside of Threadz Boutique on Front Street encourages shoppers to buy local and shop at small businesses on Saturday as part of Small Business Saturday. Threadz was one of many Marietta businesses that participated in Small Business Saturday with special deals and promotions. (Photo by Michelle Dillon)

“It’s the best … we like to support this area,” Jan Brewer said. “Businesses are good about giving back to the community; we like to give back to them.”

Jenny Brewer said people have to support small businesses.

“It’s nice to know it’s going back to the people you see day in and day out working so hard,” she said.

Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com