Small shops get set for Saturday shoppers

For Clovis and Portales small business owners, a day dedicated to keeping money in the community is a no-brainer.

Saturday is Small Business Saturday, an initiative created in 2010 to encourage residents to shop locally.

“It’s an opportunity for businesses to really promote the products they have, and it’s kind of the kickoff to the holiday season. And it’s kind of a reminder, too, for people: Try shopping local first,” said Portales MainStreet Executive Director Sandy Vigil.

The success of Small Business Saturday is difficult to measure, according to Clovis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ernie Kos, but she believes it has been an economic boost to the community.

“I definitely think that it is encouraging people to stay and shop local. I’ve personally been out myself, and there’s crowds everywhere. There’ll be crowds everywhere this weekend,” she said.

Gail Stevenson Tarson, owner of Diamonds Evermore in Clovis, said putting money into small business keeps communities alive.

“If you’re not shopping local, the money is bleeding outside of the community, and instead, it’s supporting other communities,” she said. “Whereas when you’re shopping local, you’re helping support your local police, your local fire, the schools, the streets, your local city government, parks, community activities.”

Stevenson Tarson added that shoppers often receive perks on Small Business Saturday as “a way of thanking the customers.”

Small businesses are vital to communities because of the variety of support they offer, according to Fern Goodson, owner of Bar G Western Wear in Portales.

“You’ve got to support your local businesses, because we’re the businesses who support all the schools, all the school kids when they’re selling candles and calendars and raffle tickets. To keep Portales growing or thriving, you’ve got to have small businesses,” she said.

Many people may not realize the ways small businesses help communities, Vigil said.

“It’s those businesses that support your kids’ activities at school or even out of school. It’s those people that tithe in your churches. As a community, we can’t expect to receive support if you don’t support others,” she said.