Valley stores and restaurants participate in ‘Small Business Saturday’

While holiday shopping may be at the top of mind for folks throughout the country, 'Small Business Saturday’ is encouraging shoppers to invest in their communities. 

We visited some locally owned businesses in Palm Desert that are making this ‘Small Business Saturday’ a special one.

"I feel like if I were to go to a nameless corporation store, I would not meet the owner," said Kiera Aycock a shopper visiting from San Diego. "I would not have a conversation with them. I would not get to connect with them. So it's nice that on a smaller scale, they get to connect with their customers."

Jennifer Riley, owner of Peach Whiskers Goods in Palm Desert agrees. She says one of the best parts of being a small business owner is making friends with her community. 

"You're having the experience of coming in and having a face-to-face talk, where they will start to get to know you, they'll know your size, they know what your style is," says Riley.

In honor of ‘Small Business Saturday’ Riley had a little treat in store for her customers. 

"We have 20% off everything in the store. And then it's 25% off if they bring in an unwrapped toy," added Riley.

And there’s an opportunity to give back, Peaches and Whiskers is one of a dozen small businesses that participated in the 'Small Business Scavenger Hunt in Palm Desert' encouraging people to stop by a local store and donate a small toy to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission for a chance to win special prizes. 

Esthetician, Katerina Perez the owner of 'Afterglow Skin Studio' is also participating in the small business scavenger hunt, and is thankful for initiatives that spotlight business owners like herself. 

"Anytime you have the opportunity to shop locally. If you're shopping for a birthday present, a Christmas present, an anniversary present for somebody, try to think of your neighbors as opposed to what's online or what's at the mall," said Perez.

Next time you walk into a small business or restaurant just know it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. 

"I think the fact that it's unique to the area makes it cool. If I was going to go to like a commercial store, I could do that where I'm from," said Aycock.

Small business Saturday, bringing you holiday shopping with a hometown feel. 

You can still stop by small businesses in Palm Desert to donate a toy to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission until the end of next week. The stores include:

• Dale's Records and Skate Shop
• All Tressed Up Blowdry and Beauty Bar
• Thriftology
• Cat Lady Claws, Nail Artistry
• Sagebrush Beauty Studios
• Sottovoce Cafe
• Peach Whiskers Goods
• Boheme Aesthetics
• The Fine Art of Design
• Afterglow Skin Studio
• Chiropilates
• Soul Dive Yoga

The City of La Quinta is also holding its 'Shop La Quinta Local' campaign running until the end of the year.

The promotion encourages residents to visit 15 local shops and restaurants.

"It's really important in the holiday season to shop small," said Marci Falldorf, owner of Alexandrite. 'The big corporations always run these big sales and it does affect us. So it's nice to have a campaign where people are focused on the smaller businesses."

From restaurants to apparel, 'Shop La Quinta Local' will give visitors discounts and deals as long as they remember to mention the promotion at checkout.