SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Local businesses say despite inflation, the sales from Small Business Saturday are boosting their morale for the holiday shopping season.
Vintage shop owner Kristen Wolfe opened her brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Salt Lake City a year ago. She said customers showed her lots of love on Saturday, which was encouraging after a tough year.
“The construction that we’ve had here on 300 West has really thrown things for a loop,” Wolfe said.
She explained that regular foot traffic to her business really slowed down with ongoing construction throughout the year, but the construction’s now taken a break, which she’s been working hard to communicate to her customers.
Related stories from 2News
“I can speak for people up and down the block when I say that this has really impacted our sales and our foot traffic, even on big shopping holidays,” she said.
Despite the setbacks regarding the construction, Wolfe was encouraged by all the customers who stopped by her store, Vintage Drift.
“My shop did better today than it has done in a really long time, so I really appreciate our customers coming out and showing support, especially on a day like Small Business Saturday,” Wolfe said.
In the southwest portion of Salt Lake County, several businesses partnered with the South Valley Chamber for Small Business Saturday, hoping to see a boost in sales.’
WannaCinn, which is a new cinnamon roll treat stop in Riverton at the Mountain View Village, was one. Owner David Sickich told 2News that he spent the past 10 years perfecting the roll recipe.
“WannaCinn? Do you want to sin? It’s fun play on words here in Utah,” Sickich said.
Beyond the tasty cinnamon rolls, Sickich said the welcoming community coupled with the extra boost from the regional chamber helped keep business steady for the holiday shopping weekend.
Jay Francis is the President/CEO of the South Valley Chamber and said he met with business owners for Shop Small Saturday. He said they’ll get official numbers next week, but as of Saturday, it appeared brick-and-mortar stores performed very well for the day
“I think the parking lots are telling the story,” Francis said.
He said 97% of business in communities comes from small, local shops.
“Small business is really the lifeblood of a community,” Francis said.
Business owners hope to see consumers continue to shop local businesses throughout the holidays and into the new year.
“I want people to consider the power of their dollar, especially in times of inflation, and what that’s like for small business owners when you support us over larger corporations,” Wolfe said.
Francis said he believes Cyber Monday sales will also offer a significant boost to local shops.
