CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Saturday, Nov. 28 is Small Business Saturday. It's a day to shop local businesses that need the support more than ever right now.
The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on small businesses. Shopping local has clearly never been more important.
“I don’t think they (people) realize how dire the situation is for small businesses, so many cool places in Charlotte are closing,” Britt Gooding, the owner of CLT Boutique in South End, said.
Gooding opened her brick and mortar store in July and has been hopeful ever since. CLT Boutique caters primarily to women and has an extremely large social media presence in the area, which is how Gooding let people know she is one of those business owners who worry about disappearing.
“Think of ways to support the people in your community," Gooding added. "Amazon and Walmart are not struggling, they are having a good year, but if you know a small business owner, chances are, they are not having a great year, ya know."
A study by Main Street America noted that 7.5 million small businesses are in danger of closing down and never coming back.
Gooding’s business is down 30%. Gooding’s online presence and website has off-set foot traffic, but still, she is a snapshot of what’s happening across the small business platforms. It's why Small Business Saturday and the rest of December will be so important.
CLT Boutique and other small businesses in the Charlotte community are taking precautions to make sure shoppers feel comfortable visiting stores.
“We’re just trying to be super careful and we will be taking all the necessary precautions like social distancing, hand sanitizer, and of course mask requirements, basically doing everything we can to protect our customers,” Gooding added.
CLT Boutique is clustered in with 15 other small businesses in that area of Charlotte's South End neighborhood that will try to drive sales and keep business afloat by offering deals and specials for several Saturdays during the holiday season.
Instead of just one Small Business Saturday event, there will be pop-up markets every Saturday from Nov. 28 through Dec.19.
“The local shops and restaurants in South End are what make this place interesting. Each one represents an entrepreneur's dreams and livelihood,” said Megan Liddle Gude, vice president, South End, at Charlotte Center City Partners in a statement. “Shopping small for the holidays has never been more important for our city--it's about supporting each other.”
Businesses like CLT Boutique are also part of the South End Small Biz Hero Program. If you spend $10 you get a sticker on a card. After collecting five stickers the card is redeemable at 5th Third Bank for a gift.
