BOONE, N.C. — This Black Friday, small businesses in western North Carolina are pushing for extra support after still recovering from Helene.
"Shop Local" will have a different ring to it for business owners in Boone. They hope shoppers take advantage of their deals.
On the outside it may just look like a small business, but inside it’s Boone’s lifeline. Kendra Sink, the general manager for Mast General Store in Boone, hopes for success on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
"Honestly, it couldn’t have come at a worse time,” she said, referring to the storm.
But even after the storm, there's hope.
“It feels like for the first time, we're back," she said.
Economists estimate that small businesses hurt by Helene could recover up to 40% of what was lost. Mast General is thinking outside the box to help lure shoppers and the foot traffic in.
"We’re definitely doing promotions something we haven’t done before," Sink said. "We’re doing everything we can this year."
Other small businesses like Anna Banana’s are also rethinking the shopping experience and store atmosphere. Anna Roseman, the owner of the consignment shop, said getting creative is critical.
“This Black Friday is probably the most important one we’ve done so far," she said. "We’re going to go all out and we’re doubling the 'Dance Discount'. We’re doing 20% off for dancing and just spreading the love that we do here.”
To retailers it’s more than a shopping day -- it's an economic lifeline.
"Hopefully people have such a good experience in Boone that they’ll be coming back," said Roseman. "We’ve got all the businesses on King Street that are working so hard to provide this experience here and for y'all to feel the Hallmark Channel winter when you come into town.”
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.