The holiday season is one of the most important times for businesses and consumersthanks to cheaper offers and increased consumption. But it means so much more for small business owners who rely on holiday sales to make a living.
Holiday spending is expected to increase 2.5% to 3.5% from last year, according to the National Retail Foundation.
In addition to turkey and family gatherings, people can also look forward to the weekend for Black Friday and, more recently, Small Business Saturday deals.
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express to convince more consumers to spend their money at independent local businesses rather than global conglomerates like Amazon. In 2011, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the annual holiday tradition celebrated by all 50 states since 2012.
American Express reported that consumer spending at independent retailers and restaurants during Small Business Saturday will reach about $17 billion in 2023. Since 2010, consumers have spent about $201 billion.
Here are some small businesses – as defined by the Small Business Administration – in and around Salem where shoppers can spend money.
Escape from Fiction
Where: 3240 Triangle Drive SE, Salem, OR 97302
Escape Fiction, a full-service bookstore opened October 1, 1994, inspired by Scott Conover’s love of science fiction, fantasy, and JRR Tolkien. The store sells new and used books and boxes of “every kind of book you can imagine.” His most popular books are manga – Japanese comic books.
While Conover doesn’t specifically offer Black Friday or Small Business Saturday deals, its store still offers plenty of discounts on those dates. All new hardcovers are 15% off, and books and sets priced at $24.95 to $99.95 range from 15% to 25% off. A Sarah Moss box set is 45% off. Other discounts include offers for teachers, institutions and Battle of Books titles. People can even donate their books for store credit.
There is no online store, but people can order books by emailing Conover or messaging him on Facebook.
Conover considers Escape Fiction his life and said he plans to continue running it until he can no longer.
Website:http://escapefiction.qwestoffice.net.
Hours:
- Open every day from 10am to 7pm, but closed on some holidays.
Focal point photography
Where: 161 W Ellendale Ave., Dallas, OR 97338
Focal Point Photography has been around for 41 years, but amateur photographer Nate Woods took over in 2019 when the owner retired. Woods had been an employee for eight years and was also a wedding photographer before purchasing the store.
This weekend, FPP will offer all used equipment and accessories – bags, tripods and filters – with a 10% discount. They will also honor any agreements that camera manufacturers are making. On Friday and Saturday, the store will hold raffles and prizes for customers who arrive first.
In-store credit is available for people who want to trade in their old equipment or cameras, and online purchases are available.
Woods said FPP is his livelihood. With a lot of support from the community and even tourists, he said many customers have become “good friends”.
Website:https://shop.focalpointphoto.com.
Hours:
- Open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 4pm and closed on Sunday
Apples to Oranges
Where: 204 E Main St., Silverton, Oregon 97381
Laurie Carter, a former Silverton councilwoman, became a business owner 11 years ago when she opened Apples to Oranges. She was inspired by the desire to stimulate the city center after business closures.
Apples to Oranges is a craft store selling products such as children’s toys, magazines, yarn and tea. Anyone who signs up for the store’s newsletter will receive a 20% discount until December 5th. Carter said yarn and tea were her most popular products.
Online shopping is available as well as in person.
Carter says he thinks he could run the store for another 10 years because it would keep it active and energetic. She owes her life to the craft store after keeping her from being a “basket case” after her husband died two years ago. Seeing empty buildings around Silverton also motivates her to keep going.
Website:https://applestooranges.net/products/plymouth-encore-worsted.
Hours:
- Open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 4pm
- Carter said it might stay open a little later on Friday and Saturday.
The thrift store
Where: 3840 River Road N, Keizer, OR 97303
The Thrift Store was opened in 2018 by Todd Peters, an Amity native who worked in the thrift supply chain and wanted to give the community the option to recycle their clothes and provide an alternative to large nonprofits like Goodwill.
The store sells products and accepts donations ranging from decor, jewelry, clothing, electronics and more. Any donations that cannot be accepted are sent to the Union Gospel Mission or Big Brother Big Sister foundations. This weekend, black and white tags will be 25% off on Friday, while orange tags will be 75% off on Saturday. The discount for veterans is 10% and seniors – 55 years old and over – have a 10% discount on purchases on Tuesdays.
Purchases must be made in person.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/thethriftstorekeizer.
Hours:
- Open Monday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm
Bricks and more
Where: 5095 River Road N, Keizer, OR 97303
Austin King worked in retail for seven years before opening Bricks & Beyond in 2021. A longtime toy collector, he always dreamed of having his own store and, thanks to the encouragement of his father and grandfather, he finally did.
Bricks & Beyond is a toy store that sells new and used products. They sell legos, action figures, posters, Hot Wheels and more. Donations can be exchanged for store credit. During the weekend, items will be discounted from 10% to 50% and freebies will be distributed on Friday. Veterans can get 10% off merchandise and there may be discounts available in the future for students and teachers.
Star Wars products are the most popular, King said. Purchases can only be made in person.
Bricks & Beyond is a way for King to express his creativity, from graphic design to marketing. It’s also a great way for him to connect with people who share the same interests or are looking for new hobbies.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bricks-Beyond-Oregon-100078264201014/.
Hours:
- Open on Black Friday from 9am to 6pm
- Open Monday and Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 6pm
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
#Find #Small #Business #Saturday #Deals #Salem #Oregon