Last year, Small Business Saturday drew large crowds to Old Town as residents and visitors came out to explore unique shops and support local businesses, and store owners are hoping for the same this year. Although the area is often frequented by tourists year-round, shopkeepers say that in November and December there is an influx of local shoppers. David Behrens, a gallery owner and flute player, uses his music to attract customers to his store. His gallery features not only his own art, but also the work of other local artists. Behrens believes Small Business Saturday goes beyond increasing sales – it’s an opportunity to celebrate the unique creativity of local artists. “For tourists, they want to capture some of the mystique of New Mexico,” Behrens explained. “For locals, it’s more sentimental. These are names and artists that maybe are part of people’s families.” For Behrens, Small Business Saturday is more than just sales — it’s a celebration of the creativity that makes shopping small a meaningful experience. “We’re not Target, no. We are Walmart. We are individual stores representing local arts. This is unique,” he said. He sees small purchases as an opportunity for customers to find gifts with deeper meaning. “Gifts with stories, gifts with skilled hands, gifts that translate the heart into the hand,” he added. Justina Alarcón, who opened her tea shop just seven weeks ago, shares the same sentiment. Their shop offers locally produced tea blends, with honey harvested by their own staff. She believes that shopping small allows customers to connect with the people behind the products. “This allows us to give people the opportunity to show who they are, what they do and what they are passionate about,” Alarcon said. “Not only does it keep money in our economy, but it’s also a collaborative community effort.” Other store owners in Old Town echo his comments. They emphasize that the region offers something for everyone, which makes it a must-visit destination this holiday season. Many stores are planning special sales.
Last year, Small Business Saturday drew large crowds to Old Town as residents and visitors came out to explore unique shops and support local businesses, and store owners are hoping for the same this year. Although the area is often frequented by tourists year-round, shopkeepers say that in November and December there is an influx of local shoppers.
David Behrens, a gallery owner and flute player, uses his music to attract customers to his store. His gallery features not only his own art, but also the work of other local artists. Behrens believes Small Business Saturday goes beyond increasing sales – it’s an opportunity to celebrate the unique creativity of local artists.
“For tourists, they want to capture some of the mystique of New Mexico,” Behrens explained. “For locals, it’s more sentimental. These are names and artists that are perhaps part of people’s families.”
For Behrens, Small Business Saturday is more than just sales — it’s a celebration of the creativity that makes shopping small a meaningful experience.
“We are not Target, we are not Walmart. We are individual stores representing local arts. This is unique,” he said.
He sees small purchases as an opportunity for customers to find gifts with deeper meaning. “Gifts with stories, gifts with skilled hands, gifts that translate the heart into the hand,” he added.
Justina Alarcón, who opened her tea shop just seven weeks ago, shares the same sentiment. Their shop offers locally produced tea blends, with honey harvested by their own staff. She believes that shopping small allows customers to connect with the people behind the products.
“This allows us to give people the opportunity to show who they are, what they do and what they are passionate about,” Alarcón said. “Not only does it keep money in our economy, but it’s really a collaborative community effort.”
Other store owners in Old Town echo his comments. They emphasize that the region offers something for everyone, which makes it a must-visit destination this holiday season. Many stores are planning special sales.
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