ROANOKE, Va (WFXR) — Black Friday has come and gone but many local businesses are just starting to gear up as we head into small business Saturday.
The day is used to celebrate and support small businesses in the community and with inflation and lingering effects from COVID-19 local businesses are encouraging the community to shop small this weekend
Owner of Belle Place Soap’s Co, Richard Vavala tells WFXR he wants the community to know the impact they can make by shopping small.
“We rely on this as a supplement to our retirement as well as most of the other vendors along here,” said Vavala.
Vavala’s company has been in business for about 15 years. He says the Roanoke community has been incredibly supportive of local vendors coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local artist Katherine Devine agrees.
“Supporting small businesses as we all get back to work, get back on our feet, kinda feel confident moving forward is just a blessing,” said Devine.
In an attempt to promote small businesses in the area, the organization “Savvy Events” is hosting a “Black Friday Weekend” event in the Valley View Mall. Event organizer Jason Lane says more than a dozen different small businesses will set up shop each day.
“These small businesses are struggling right now with the economy having an impact and I think it’s best that we shop small, shop local, and give back to our community in that way,” said Lane.
The “Black Friday weekend event” started Friday morning and will continue until Sunday evening.
“Feeling of being part of your community, people know what you do they’re happy to support you, it’s more than just finances,” said Devine.
If you are looking to shop small several local businesses will be set up in downtown Roanoke each week, and the “Black Friday Weekend” event will be open in the Valley View Mall from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon until 6 p.m. Sunday.
