Small Business Saturday Offers Incentives to Local Shoppers

In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to promote local business and keeping money within communities.

According to the movement’s Facebook, “First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. November 27, 2010 was the first ever Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.”

The idea works by offering American Express cardholders incentives to shop local, which change each year. This time around, cardholders who spend at least $10 in a qualifying local retailer may receive a $10 credit on their statement. Spaces are limited and sign up is necessary, which you can do here.

Various local businesses in San Angelo will be participating in Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, and if you want to shop local first, looking for mom-and-pop shops is first choice for lovers of local businesses. Many of these businesses also offer their own incentives to shoppers on Saturday in order to attract locals to support the community.

One such business is Heavenly Shoes Boutique, located on 48 W. Twohig near the Texas Theatre.

Heavenly Shoes is still new to San Angelo, having opened May 1 of this year, and is still preparing for the official grand opening.

“I sell doctor-recommended shoes,” says Mary Perkins, owner of Heavenly Shoes Boutique. “I sell high-dollar shoes that no one else has.”

Perkins is participating in Black Friday with a 25 percent off sale of select brands, and plans to be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as usual for Small Business Saturday.

So far, business has been good for Perkins as she is the only carrier in town for designer orthopedic footwear and bamboo socks.

“These shoes are pretty and comfortable,” said Perkins, “they are not ugly shoes.”

Aside from shoes, Perkins carries dresses, sweaters, jackets, scarves and handbags to fit the working woman persona.

As a certified shoe fitter with 20 years of experience, Perkins is able to find the right fit for anyone.

So for Small Business Saturday, hit up the local stores in San Angelo, or attend events like the Chicken Farm Art Center Open House at 2505 Martin Luther King.

The Open House will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, featuring local and traveling merchants with homemade jewelry, pottery, and other goods.

The American Express has a complete list of all locally-owned retailers participating in the event. Here's a taster of what's to offer: 

Jewelry Expressions
West Office Supply
Little Festivities
Ramirez Cake Shop
Specialties
The Little Red Rooster
BIlls Mans Shop
Heritage Haus Clocks
M L Leddy's Boots and Saddlery
J Wilde's
Eggemeyer's
Concho Confetti Antique Mall
D'Vine Wine
Deja Vu
AC Memorials
Wes T Go Number
Ponda Rodrigue
Goodyear Auto Service Center
Bee GZZZ 
E & P Professional Tools
Trudo's Religious Store

Small Business Saturday is all about keeping money local and supporting the community we live in. There’s nothing wrong with getting your TV from Best Buy at a low price on Black Friday, but maybe get that scarf at a local boutique to keep money in San Angelo.

Let us at LIVE! know how your Black Friday and Small Business Saturday goes by posting on our Facebook, and hashtagging #sangelo and #sanangelolive on twitter and Instagram.