Small Business Saturday campaign helps local retailers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Small Business Saturday is a nationwide campaign to help boost holiday sales for local retailers. Many in the Valley are hoping it will pay off.

Lots of shoppers in Old Town Clovis were determined to knock out their Christmas shopping list and some Action News spoke to would rather do so by shopping locally.

The Black Friday crowds and busy big box stores is something Laurie Tucker can't stand.

"I don't like the crowds, I don't like the long lines I don't like the fact that we have to drive up and down the parking lot looking for any parking place," Tucker said.

So every year Tucker and her family knock out their Christmas shopping in Old Town Clovis.

"They offer things big box stores don't. We have had our packages gift wrapped and they are wrapped very uniquely," Tucker said.

Store owners hope others will also show their support by buying local on Small Business Saturday. The campaign started by American Express is an effort to market mom and pop stores.

"Today has been a great day, it's really nice to see the support of our community come out," Karen Chisum of Vintage on Fourth said.

"We appreciate just the advertisement for us because especially this time of year we get lost in the big box stores all the publicity that they put out," business owner Cora Shipley said.

Shipley owns two stores in the area and hires 14 employees. Shipley says the goal is to get a customer to take part on Saturday and then hook them into shopping here all year long.

"Not only does it help the small business owners but it helps all those families and the money 90% of money stays local in your community," Shipley said.

One person Action News talked to said what they really like about shopping at these boutique stores is that it feels more personal when the owners always greet them by name.

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clovis, fresno county, business, mariana jacob

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