Chelsea Carmack had a busy Saturday, Nov. 30. She was one of the thousands of shoppers in local stores looking for the perfect gifts on Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010 as a day to support the small businesses in the nation during the busy holiday shopping season. […]
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Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010 as a day to support the small businesses in the nation during the busy holiday shopping season. That special shopping day comes after Black Friday and before Cyber Monday every year.
Ms. Carmack said she was happy to help the cause as she shopped sweatshirts and other items in the Brick & Motor Fashion Boutique at 1629 Second Ave. in downtown Rock Island.
“I’m here shopping for myself before I shop for others. … I’m just looking at anything that catches my eye,” added the Bettendorf woman.
Items that were catching the eyes of shoppers on Saturday included clothing, coats, hats, shirts, candy and many other items. All purchases made on Small Business Saturday help many mom-and-pop stores stay in business, and also help the community.
Shoppers were expected to spend at least $17 billion at small businesses during this year’s Small Business Saturday, according to the Small Business Administration.
Most of that money goes right back into the local community. According to an American Express survey, 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in the local community. Also, every dollar spent at a small business created an additional 48 cents in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses buying local goods and services.
“Shop Small is a year-round movement that supports small, independent businesses and calls attention to the valuable and distinct contributions they make to their communities and the economy. Shop Small celebrates small businesses ranging from retail stores and restaurants to fitness studios and salons, and everything in between,” according to information from American Express.
The Shop Small movement appeared to be healthy in the Quad Cities on Saturday. One of the stores reported storing sales was Envied Vintage Clothing, Etc., which just moved into the first floor of the Bucktown Lofts building at 225 E. Second St., Davenport. (Before moving to downtown Davenport, Envied was located at 800 Isabel Bloom Way, Suite 3, for several months. And before that move, Envied was one of the businesses displaced when a downtown Davenport apartment building partially collapsed at 324 Main St. in the spring of 2023.)
“I like it here. It kind of resembles my old place on Main Street,” said Darien Collins, owner of Envied Vintage Clothing, Etc., which specializes in selling vintage clothing and a lot of other vintage items. “People like the place.”
He added that some of the top sellers on Saturday included sports gear and coats.
Coats and other winter clothing were also hot sellers at Nest Modern Goods during Small Business Saturday.
The LeClaire-based business had a storefront set up in the Arts Alley Holiday Market in downtown Rock Island on Saturday. Nest, along with Active Endeavors, was in the two new retail vendor stalls located at 1719 Second Ave. (Various businesses will be set up in the two small builds on the weekends through Sunday, Dec. 22.)
Lila Bussert, who was running the Nest, said she was doing good business on a cold, sunny Saturday as many of her customers were looking to buy sweatshirts and other clothing items that will keep them warm.
“We’re getting out in Rock Island and meeting new people. That’s what this is all about. … It’s been a good day here. These little pods are great,” she added.
Not far from the holiday market, Big T Wear Big & Tall Clothing at 1700 Second St. was having a busy day selling clothes, hats, jackets and many other items.
“People have been stopping by and buying a lot of stocking-stuffers. …. It’s been a pretty good day,” said Anthony Jones, the store owner.
Another business reporting good sales on Saturday was Brick & Motor Boutique, also in downtown Rock Island. The business – owned by sisters Lauren Corwin and Haley Walker – calls itself a trendy, affordable fashion boutique offering women’s clothing, original designs by Haley Walker, candles, purses, bags, coats, jewelry, accessories, and much more.
“People are definitely in the shopping mood. … People are looking for things that are quirky,” said Ms. Walker.
Ms. Corwin also reported a strong day on Small Business Saturday as shoppers were looking for many clothing items, and just about anything else that caught their eye.
“Black Friday was a great day for us. … And, so far, this has been one of our best days ever,” she added.
