WASHINGTON —聽It鈥檚 that special shopping day that sits right between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It鈥檚 called 鈥淪mall Business Saturday,鈥� and businesses in Old Town Alexandria and across the county are hoping to highlight local independent businesses that normally might have trouble competing with the big dogs.
The idea is to shop small and local. The first ever shop 鈥淪mall Business Saturday鈥� took place in November 2010 and each year it continues to grow. According to American Express, which launched the annual event, an estimated $14.3 billion was spent last year聽at small and independent businesses on Small Business Saturday.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great,鈥� says Jeff Albert owner of 鈥淒ecorium Gift and Home鈥� on King Street in Old Town Alexandria. He opened his interior design store early again this year for 鈥淪hop Small鈥� day. Last year he opened early while other stores along King Street, which聽is known for its unique boutiques and restaurants, didn鈥檛 open until 10 a.m.
鈥淯sually it鈥檚 a great day,鈥� he says, admitting聽it鈥檚 tough to go up against the big box stores like Walmart, and Internet giants like Amazon.
But what these small businesses offer is something you can鈥檛 buy on the Internet, and his customers are not just customers. 鈥淲e build relationships, it鈥檚 our friends, it鈥檚 our family. We鈥檝e been here for 15-years so we鈥檝e developed quite a relationship with our people.鈥�
Shari Simmans-Bolouri, VP, Marketing and Events with the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, says more than 50 businesses in Old Town are involved with this year鈥檚 鈥淪mall Business Saturday.鈥�
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce promoting Small Business Saturday in Old Town Alexandria.
鈥� Kathy Stewart (@KStewart草莓传媒)
