Valley businesses urge shoppers to shop local, offer Black Friday discounts

This Black Friday, you may want to think small, small businesses that is. Shops around the Coachella Valley are getting for the busy holiday shopping season, and business owners are hoping you’ll shop local.

At Destination PSP along North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, they’re preparing for the busiest shopping days of the year by opening their doors early.

“We’re going to open up at 8 o’clock Friday morning, we’ll continue to have certain specials throughout the day,” says store manager Scott Glover.

He says shoppers don’t usually think small shops participate, but they’re taking part in Black Friday and are hoping the crowds will come their way by offering extended hours and giveaways to the first 25 customers who make a purchase.
They’ll also be offering free mugs and melamine trays with a certain amount purchased from the store.

“We do want to remind our residents and visitors that downtown Palm Springs is participating, just like the large retailers are, and we want them to come take part in that,” Glover said. And most importantly to remind shoppers to shop local.

“I think we’re all aware, you know you spend locally, those dollars stay here and help the local economy, more so than the larger retailers where dollars go to other places,” Glover said.

According to the National Retail Federation, nearly 68 million people across the country are expected to shop this coming holiday weekend. Experts predict each shopper to spend an average of $366.

“Support those individuals who are here year-round and stick it out through the slower months of the year and are here for you,” said Glover.

Several other stores in the downtown area will also be opening their doors early, offering Black Friday specials. Heavenly Couture, a clothing store, will open their doors an hour early at 9 a.m for customers wanting to get discounts on items throughout their store.

Then a couple doors down, at Sinfulicious Bodycare, they’ll hold their own Black Friday specials as a way to give back to the customer. The business opened 5 years ago and even through tough financial times, they’ve had a strong clientele allowing them to stay open.

“We appreciate them so much that we always want to offer something wonderful for them, so to be able to do a black friday for our customers is amazing for us. we’re really excited,” said Heather Gold, an employee at the store.

The stores also hope to boost sales by taking part in Small Business Saturday, a campaign sponsored by American Express to encourage people to shop at small businesses.