Lynchburg shoppers rally to support local businesses on Small Business Saturday

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Hundreds headed to Downtown Lynchburg to kick off the holiday shopping season for Small Business Saturday.

“We believe in supporting the community and people who are living in our region that are trying to make a living with their art. And it’s just fun!” Marylynne Tucker, a Small Business Saturday shopper said.

The annual holiday falls the day after Black Friday.

It’s a time when people can support mom and pops in their community.

“You make relationships with people that you buy from most of the time; we have some friends in the market that we like to see all the time. I think it’s just really, you know, a community,” Cali Acosta, a Small Business Saturday shopper said.

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“I’m participating in Small Business Saturday because my friends own businesses downtown!” said Kathleen Davis, another shopper.

Business owners like Jannette Spearman of Spearman Artisanry and Pat Phillips with Cane Creek Country appreciate your support.

They talked about the benefits of shopping local.

“When you are buying in other stores or shops, those people don’t live in Lynchburg, so that money goes somewhere else, it doesn’t stay here,” Spearman said.

“If you want something that speaks into the life of your neighbors, who are your small business owners, then buy local, buy small business, buy from your neighbors,” Phillips said.

Shoppers in Lynchburg agreed, and said it means more when you shop small.

“It’s important to support local because it goes right back into our community, you know? Amazon is not gonna sponsor your kid’s team, Amazon is not a fun place to go to have dinner on your birthday. I come downtown and support downtown because I hang out downtown,” Davis said.