Shoppers support local businesses on Small Business Saturday

Packed parking lots and busy shoppers this weekend were all signs the holiday shopping season is upon us.

Black Friday madness is now behind us, making way for a recent tradition, Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday started in 2010.

It’s a day when shoppers are encouraged to shop locally and support the local economy.

Local business owners in the valley said they appreciate the extra love.

“There aren’t a lot of us locals left and independents too. So having that honor of being able to visit your local clothing boutiques is really special and awesome,” said Elyssa Goldberg, owner of BG’s on El Paseo.

Goldberg said the destination market benefits boutiques.

“A lot of visitors and tourists, they don’t necessarily want to shop at stores they have at home. They want to find unique boutiques they won’t get everywhere else,” Goldberg said.

Just down the street at Elizabeth & Price owner Analisa Holoubek said shopping local just makes sense.

“We’ve all heard that supporting local businesses makes financial sense. It means dollars spent goes back into the local economy and provides jobs,” Holoubek said.

Some shoppers said there’s one main reason why they choose to shop locally.

“Service. I told them what I wanted I got into the fitting room and they brought me five other things that sounded like what I wanted,” shopper Monte Marts said.

Across town at Le Chateau in La Quinta employees said Small Business Saturday is busier than Black Friday.

“I really think this Saturday we will be twice as busy as Black Friday,” said employee Trisha Silvers.

Business owners said shopping locally is unique because of attention to detail and familiarity.

“Customers that come to our store appreciate that we remember their names, we remember their sizes and they like that they can find things that you wouldn’t find at every mall across the country,” Holoubek said.

When it comes to the bottom line and our seasonal economy, store owners said they rely on holiday shoppers.

The campaign to shop locally has taken off since its inception.

Last year shoppers spent more than $14 billion at local and independent stores on Small Business Saturday.