Baldwinsville — Big box stores may be convenient, but it’s small businesses that keep the economy going.
To help promote that idea, the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday shopping season with a selfie contest on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, promising prizes of gift certificates to B’ville businesses. In addition to the contest, the chamber publicized its members’ Small Business Saturday discounts and other delights for eager holiday shoppers.
Having opened on West Genesee Street in September, Anana’s Trinkets and Teacups is gearing up for the holiday rush. Owner Sharon Lighton, who previously sold her wares at Two Twisted Sisters, celebrated Small Business Saturday by absorbing her customers’ sales tax for the day and offered a 20 percent discount on Black Friday.
“Everybody’s been very complimentary,” Lighton said. “We’re busy now with Christmas coming up.”
While doing holiday shopping at a big box store is often a convenient choice, supporting small businesses strengthens a community in many ways. For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $68 recirculates within the local economy. That’s 58 percent more than the $43 that sticks around when $100 is spent at a chain or big box.
According to the Small Business Administration, the 23 million small businesses in America have generated 8 million jobs in the last 25 years. Of course, the SBA includes businesses that have up to 500 employees or generate $7.5 million annually — likely a lot more than the mom-and-pop outfits that dot the village and surrounding areas.
As the Buy Local movement has picked up speed in recent years, Baldwinsville’s small business offerings have grown too.
“We’re getting a better and better array of things people can buy,” Lighton said. “There’s more stores opening because they’re successful.”
Barb Donaghey, co-owner of the Nantucket Cat, said holiday shoppers don’t have to stray far from home to find unique, reasonably priced gifts. The Nantucket Cat features pet furniture made by Donaghey’s husband and co-owner, Bill, and the shop sells sculptures, pet treats and other artisan curiosities. Lighton said some of her tea suppliers do not stock their wares within a certain radius of Anana’s, giving her selections an air of exclusivity.
continued — The Nantucket Cat also absorbed sales tax on its customers’ purchases for Small Business Saturday as one way to give thanks to its customers.
Small businesses also share their wealth with the community at a much higher rate than larger corporations; the Seattle Good Business Network found that small businesses give 2.5 times as much to nonprofits and other organizations within their communities.
“We help with a lot of community fundraising events and different causes,” Donaghey said.
Geared toward cat lovers, the Nantucket Cat often donates to local animal welfare organizations such as the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse.
“We do a tea party once a year and we do adoption days throughout the year,” Donaghey said.
For B’ville’s shopkeepers, being in business is about more than just buying and selling.
“Shopping locally is a social event,” Donaghey said, noting that her customers had had “great fun” with the chamber’s selfie contest.
At Anana’s, Lighton greets her tea partygoers with a lush table setting, free samples and lavish costumes and hats for the littlest tea drinkers.
“It was something Baldwinsville [didn’t] have… Women can just sit and talk,” she said of her shop’s friendly atmosphere. “I like to talk to people when they come in — people seem really receptive to that.”
Through the chamber’s resources and their own natural camaraderie with each other, the village’s businesses support each other’s efforts.
“It’s keeping it local. I see no need to go anywhere else,” Lighton said.
Lighton said she’s purchased much of the decor for Anana’s from fellow Baldwinsville businesses. Donaghey gave Lighton two paintings of women whose dresses serendipitously matched Anana’s color scheme.
“We all support each other for events such as Au Chocolat. It’s very important to let customers know about other local businesses,” Donaghey said. “There’s definitely much more success in numbers.”
Both Donaghey and Lighton said they refer customers to their fellow shops. Sue McManus of the Shacksboro Schoolhouse Museum Shop agreed.
“We know what’s in the community and we can make recommendations,” McManus said. “I’ve had people say, ‘It’s wonderful how you all support each other.’”
