Local Business Owners Encourage Shopping Small on Saturday

PEORIA -- One of the busiest shopping weekends of the year is nearly upon us, and while many people are going after the deals on Black Friday, local business owners are asking you remember them on Small Business Saturday.

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the spotlight is on small, local businesses.

Peoria Business Owner Mary Ardapple hopes shoppers will make a point to invest their dollars in the community. "We hope all people will come out and visit, shop, eat get a  cup of coffee go on to that next sale but remember, your money at small businesses are really generating a lot of invesment into the community."

Ardapple said shopping small gives customers a different experience, one they won't get on Black Friday at big box retailers.

But more importantly, it's a shopping day that could give many small businesses the boost they need. Unique-Teak owner Pam Dunne said, "It means everything to us. Small businesses are going by the wayside very quickly, so unless we have the support of our past customers and hopefully future customers, we're not going to be around much longer."

Dunne said last year's Small Business Saturday was the best day of business she's had in ten years of being open.

She's hopeful this weekend will be the same. "The Targets, the Walmarts, those people are gonna be around forever. Places like mine, and a lot of small business owners might not be without the support of the community."

Ardapple said Peoria is rich with small, independent and locally owned businesses.

She said what is even more important than making a purchase, is having shoppers come out to show their support.  "We're friends taking care of friends, Family members taking care of family members and neighbors taking care of neighbors."

When you buy from Apple's Bakery on Saturday, 10 percent of its profit will go to Peoria County's Community Worshop Training Center.

Unique-Teak is open from 9AM - 4 PM.