Small Business Saturday means big opportunities for shoppers

KINGSPORT — Petula Clark sang the praises of downtown six decades ago, and Small Business Saturday in downtown Broad Street had holiday shoppers forgetting some of their troubles and cares while looking for that perfect seasonal gift.With Downtown Kingsport Association sponsoring Small Business Saturday activities, including Parents Day Out and Christmas caroling, shoppers took advantage of sunny skies and mild temperatures to look in the range of businesses, grab some lunch and socialize.Selina Straley, owner of Hudson's General Store and Antiques, was enjoying a steady customer flow Saturday as shoppers browsed what had once been Kingsport's first J.C. Penney's."It's been going great," said Straley between helping customers. "They love the restoration of this 100-year-old building.Straley said she was able to combine the former department store with an adjacent Broad Street building to grow her business. While other business owners lease parts of the store for their own antique, furniture and boutique spaces, she said it all combines to give that early 20th century department store feel.Looking for sales of old inventories of hardware, dry goods as well as local confections, coffee and Virginia-Tennessee souvenir items has given Straley a niche among several specialty businesses in downtown Kingsport. A décor including materials from area 18th century farms and pieces of the former downtown Wallace News Stand has also kept a link with the district's roots.Across Broad Street, Cherie and Taylor Barker chatted with customers and friends at Cherie's Boutique with its windows filled with clothing, art and home décor items. The couple agreed that Black Friday gave their business a bump in sales while Saturday's shopping crowd was also strong."We're seeing way more people today, and it's good that they're supporting local businesses," Cherie said."Not only are they supporting local businesses," said Taylor, "but they're also keeping their money local."Taylor and Cherie both said that downtown local businesses help support each other.'There's not really competition between us," said Taylor. "If one of us doesn't have an item, we can tell a customer who may have it near here, and other businesses do the same."Kevin Snead from Charlottesville, Virginia, was browsing a vendor's table of hot sauces and condiments Saturday, as his wife Kimberly and daughter Ella took in the sights with the family dog Mayzie."I grew up in Gate City and I hadn't been here in a while," Kimberly said. "I like what they're doing with the downtown. Our family has a theme every year for Christmas gifts and this year it's weird and unique."Cathy Cope and her son Max run the 20-year-old family fish and aquarium business Sea Oddities, and Saturday also saw a tide of regular and new customers upgrading their aquariums or looking at buying that first fish tank."We had a good day yesterday," Cathy said between helping customers find supplier. "We have great customers."Cope said a key to small businesses such as hers is the knowledge and experience owners bring to their customers."I can find something that you want or need and, if I don't have it, I've built up relationships and connections where I usually know the best places to order it," Cathy said. "Small business owners know the nuances of finding the best deals for the customer."Downtown Kingsport Association continues activities to support local businesses on Dec. 2, with the downtown Jingle and Mingle Shop and Hop from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the Very Merry Food Truck Rally from 2-8 p.m. Both events coincide with the city Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting.Online: https:// downtownkingsport.org/