CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and Nov. 25 is Small Business Saturday. For 13 years, this campaign has inspired people to spend their dollars at local mom-and-pop shops and restaurants.
Small businesses everywhere are getting ready and hoping for large crowds.
The initiative is an opportunity to not only support but to celebrate the local businesses that are considered the backbone of our neighborhoods.
“We are part of the community; we live in the communities where our shops and restaurants are in. We employ people who live in these communities,” said Jules Zanoni, the owner of Grow.
Grow is a curated boutique plant shop located in Camp North End. It has been in business for four years, selling all things plant, body and home.
Zanoni said that she is ready for the weekend rush.
“We have been working around the clock to make sure not only that fully staffed and that our team is ready, but that we are fully stocked,” said Zanoni.
Small Business Saturday was launched in 2010 to help support small businesses.
“This is our lives, we pour every ounce of ourselves into creating these spaces for members of our community, for ourselves and our employees,” she said.
After the COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on small businesses, owners say the extra foot traffic is much needed.
“It's been a challenging year for all of us and this is our season, a huge percentage of our year comes from the next five to six weeks,” said Zanoni.
Lunchbox Records is rocking out on its 18th year in business, open since Black Friday of 2005.
“We sell pretty much everything, we sell pop music, R&B, rap, rock and we also have a lot of weird stuff like free jazz and metal,” said Scott Wishart, the owner.
The shop is celebrating Small Business Saturday with 18% discounts on selected items and folks are happily flipping through vinyls to find the right tunes.
“There’s just something about having a physical record in your hands to listen to and it just sounds better,” said Wishart. “And just like anything on your phone just disappears… but tangible things have more memories with them.”
It’s shopping that makes a difference and is an investment in local economies.
“Supporting the local ecosystem… you’re directly giving to people who in turn give to you,” said Ashanti Mills, a shopper.
“There are so many local artists, people with vision, people who are supporting themselves with their dreams and I think it is super cool to support local businesses,” said Bethany Whitson, shopping with her daughter.
“It's super bold to take a step and risky to have your own business,” said Kaylie Whitson, a Wesley Chapel resident. “To step out into the world and see if people like your stuff, like what you are doing…. It’s inspiring.”
For every dollar you spend at a small business about 70% stays local as opposed to about 45% with corporations, according to data from American Express.
Zanoni said that thanks to this local support, she’s been able to keep her doors open and help make peoples' homes a little greener.
“We care, we care about where we are and the people we interact with every day,” said Zanoni.
There will be over 20 shops, vendors and restaurants open Saturday at Camp North End, with a little something for everybody.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.