Small Business Saturday boosting Aggieland retailers ahead of rivalry: ‘We thrive on game day’

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – As thousands of fans filled Aggieland for the Texas A&M versus University of Texas rivalry game, some local businesses saw a welcome boost from the influx of visitors during Small Business Saturday.

At CC Creations in College Station, considered one of the world’s largest collegiate retail stores, customers lined up to purchase Aggie-themed merchandise from maroon hats to game-day t-shirts.

“Small Business Saturday— it’s a large business Saturday,” said Mark Munguia, vice president of retail for CC Creations. “Today we have a great turnout for the UT-A&M game, and the rivalry is back and everybody’s excited. We thrive on game day. Restaurants and merchants like us— we look forward to it every year.”

Meanwhile, businesses in Downtown Bryan also benefited from the combination of Small Business Saturday and the rivalry game. Shops like Savage Diva and The Frame Gallery reported steady foot traffic as visitors browsed unique gifts and local art.

“People seem to really love the vibe of downtown, but that vibe is made up of small businesses and the owners that own those,” Missy Barron, owner of The Frame Gallery, told KBTX. “Supporting us helps keeps those people in business to where you keep that community and hometown feel.”

Burr’s Unfinished Furniture, another Downtown Bryan staple, saw visitors stop in to explore its handcrafted offerings. Business owners emphasized the importance of supporting small retailers not just during the holidays, but year-round.

“They may not be buying furniture today— they may just be eating at our restaurants. But in turn, that’s putting money back into our economy,” added Cindy Roberts, owner of Burr’s Unfinished Furniture. “They’re finding us. So, they’ll go home and come back on another weekend.”

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