Shop small on Saturday

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By Anna DeWine-Bolton

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XENIA — Community members are encouraged to shop local this Saturday, Nov. 26, during Xenia Small Business Saturday.

Small, locally-owned businesses in Xenia will paticipate in the day, offering specials, savings and more to shoppers.

Participating businesses include: Rusty N Chippy’s Vintage Boutique, Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant, Blue Jacket Books, Tables of Contents, Our Family Soap, Wickline’s Florist Garden Center & Landscaping, Loan Star Pawn Shop, Mary’s Odd’s & Ends, The Flower Stop, Xenia Shoe & Leather, Tiffany Jewelers, Inc., Country Blessings Gifts & Home Decor, Emerald Loft Salon & Day Spa and Harworth Tire & Auto Service.

Coordinators of the event are Andy and Rose-Marie Bradley, owners of Country Blessings Gifts and More.

According to Rose-Marie Bradley, joining the #shopsmall movement keeps money in the local economy, celebrates the uniqueness of the area, and makes the community a destination.

Bradley can testify first-hand not just to the event itself, but also the whole experience of local business.

“Being a small business owner can be such an overwhelming task, but it is worth it to be able to help customers in finding the unique and different things that make them smile,” she said. “There are over 50 small businesses in our town and if everyone shopped, dined and used their services then our town would begin to grow.”

Bradley continued, “When you spend money where you live, communities get stronger and main streets stay vibrant. When you shop local small businesses you are helping to support a family, not buying a vacation home for some CEO. You get personal relationships and become a part of what we do.”

Another local business that is participating on Saturday is Wickline’s Florist Garden Center & Landscaping. Owner Helen Wickline explained the importance of small businesses to local communities and economies. A shop like Wickline’s supports the community through volunteer efforts, donations, and employing local people, she said.

According to research from the United States Small Business Administration, the 28 million small businesses in America provide 55 percent of all jobs and account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales.

But, there are struggles for small businesses, especially when competition exists with big-box retailers during holiday sales and Black Friday deals.

“We try very hard to meet the needs of our customers,” Wickline said.

Wickline’s will be open on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, offering savings on Thanksgiving and Christmas centerpieces.

Alan Liming, President/CEO of Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce, is also showing his support for the event on Saturday.

“Our small businesses are vital to our community in so many ways. Not only are they supporting a family, or families, but they also enhance our quality of life here in Xenia,” Liming said. “The Chamber supports any initiative that helps all of our business community. The citizens of Xenia need to know how important and far reaching it is to shop locally in all our merchant’s stores and this will only help in that endeavor.”

Maps and flyers for Saturday are available in participating stores, online at www.xeniasmallbusiness.com and on Facebook: Xenia Small Business Saturday.

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Reach Anna DeWine-Bolton at 937-502-4498.

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