BEDFORD COUNTY, Va (WFXR) — Several local businesses came together this weekend to celebrate Small Business Saturday. The day is used as a chance to support small businesses in the community– but local business owners tell WFXR they need ongoing support.
Shannon Schultz is the owner of “Like a Moth to a Frame” she tells WFXR that supporting small businesses puts money directly into the hands of people and families in your local community.
“Shopping small supports the people,” said Schultz.
Dozens of small businesses gathered in Forest at the “Peaksview Holiday Market on Saturday.
Event organizer and small business owner Katelyn Chewning says shopping small benefits the community as a whole.
“It stays here you know; you’re putting your money where your community is, the people who really cherish everything you purchase it makes a huge difference to them,” said Chewning.
Chewning explains… rising inflation hits small businesses especially hard…as the cost of supplies increases…while the number of consumers slowed down. She says ongoing support is the best way to help.
“Don’t keep it to just small business Saturday, just shop small as much as you can as often as you can it just really makes a difference in these people’s lives,” said Chewning.
In Bedford, the 4th annual “All Good Things” Christmas market featured 50 kid-owned small businesses. Shop owners Natalie Cloran and Sophia Little tell WFXR’s Anna McDougall, running a small business means building connections.
“It’s awesome that we get to make things and people get to go around and see that we work hard and are able to do things like that,” said Cloran, owner of “Macrame All Day”
Sophia Little is the owner of “Sweet Little Sisters” and she says community support is so impactful on a small business.
“When you help a small business it’s definitely more meaningful to them than it would a big business that’s like a chain,” said Little.
Event organizer Sarah Jane Mayhew says not only are the kids getting to share their passions with the community, but they are also learning from a young age the ins and outs of running a business.
“It is just so important to get out and support small businesses whether they’re 8 or 80,” said Mayhew.
If you are looking to support your community by shopping small, Katelyn Chewning recommends checking out local small business events and fairs– adding that social media is one of the best ways to stay up to date with your favorite local shops.
