FORT SMITH (KFSM) – Shoppers in Fort Smith took advantage of Small Business Saturday.
“We didn’t really want to have to deal with all the crowds so, we thought we’d wait a day,” Kenzie Taylor said.
She scored a deal on a dress from Crane Clothing Co. in downtown Fort Smith.
“I think $12 from $59. It was a really good deal,” Taylor said.
“[At] the little stores you always get better prices. You go to the bigger stores and it’s just crazy with the holidays and everything,” shopper Melissa Smith said.
While some were intentionally taking their money to small businesses, others were unaware of the national campaign to shop local.
“I had no idea it was Small Business Saturday. I actually really haven’t heard about it either,” Rebecca Levine said.
Owner of Bell Starr Antique Mall Beth Templeton said she was busier on Black Friday than she was Saturday.
“I didn’t sit down yesterday,” Templeton said. “I was here until after close, about an hour after close.”
She said about one third of the vendors in her store are offering special deals.
“We try to celebrate the fact that we’re opposite of Black Friday,” Templeton said. “It’s a calm experience. It’s a really fun place to come with your family.”
Templeton said a lot of customers didn’t know about Small Business Saturday.
“I think they’re just coming in as a normal customer and leaving with that added bonus,” Templeton said.
In 2010 American Express started the national campaign to shop locally the day after Black Friday.
“Love every good deal I can find,” Levine said.
For those who were not able to make it out for Small Business Saturday, another chance to save money before the holidays is Cyber Monday.
