As of Monday, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce had filled around half of the 600 bags for Saturday’s Shop Owensboro event. Before the “shop small” initiative can take place, Chamber staff and ambassadors will stuff discounts from each of the 58 businesses participating — nearly 36,000 pieces of paper in total.
Shop Owensboro is a local take on the national American Express movement Small Business Saturday, an effort that encourages people to shop small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The Chamber began Shop Owensboro four years ago with around 20 participating businesses, according to Chamber President and CEO Candance Brake. This year that number has nearly tripled.
“We have since seen growth not only in startups and specialty stores,” Brake said, “but also more people are involved that want to be a part of something so exciting.”
In her position at the Chamber, Brake champions small business because of its impact on the local economy.
“Every dollar spent locally will turn over three to five times in this community,” Brake said.
She then further explained the scenario of a local small business owner who will pay rent to another local small business owner, who will spend money at local restaurants and stores and will pay employees who live and also spend money in the community.
According to Chamber Membership Development and Marketing Manager Jaclyn Graves, shoppers during Saturday’s event will be supporting their own neighbors.
“You are supporting our own,” Graves said.
This will be the third year Jeanne Clark, owner of Kidstop Children’s Boutique and Stride Rite Bootery, has participated in Shop Owensboro.
Clark is looking forward Saturday and is thankful for the support local businesses like hers have received from the Chamber and from customers.
“It means a lot to me that the customers support us in that way, by shopping local,” Clark said. “It’s easy to shop on the internet. I appreciate them coming into the store to shop.”
Graves said many business owners say Shop Owensboro is their biggest day of revenue for the year. The free bags the Chamber hands out are just one measure of the event’s success. Last year the 500 bags were gone within 15 minutes. This year the Chamber staff decided to add 100 bags to the event, but still wanted to keep the number limited to keep “the charm” of shopping small.
The Chamber partners with Independence Bank, who sponsors Shop Owensboro.
“Independence Bank leads their business by a ‘love local feel,’” Graves said. “They are a natural partner for Shop Owensboro.”
Those wishing to participate in Shop Owensboro are encouraged to grab a free bag from the Highway 54 or Frederica Street Independence Bank locations. Bags will contain discounts from a majority of the 58 participating businesses as well as a BINGO card shoppers can have punched at each business and return to the Chamber for a chance to win a Shop Owensboro prize. Each business also provided a gift card for the event, which will be found by 58 lucky shoppers.
“Saturday morning there will be people wrapped around the bank,” Graves said. “Generations will come out. It has become a family tradition.”
And it has become a tradition for many shop owners as well, who each try to create a fun, often unique shopping experience for their customers.
Clark brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to Kidstop for the shop small day. Customers can grab a photo with the North Pole couple from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday against a winter backdrop of old barn doors, trees and wreaths. Parents are encouraged to bring their cell phones and cameras to take pictures for Christmas cards and keepsakes.
The Chamber encourages the community to shop small all year long, not just at the holidays, emphasizing that the perfect gift, outfit, meal, or home accessory can be found in the community.
“We are growing our own businesses together,” Brake said. “It’s empowering.”
