ST. LOUIS — Business owners and shoppers are buzzing with anticipation for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
For shoppers, it is the time to find good deals and unique finds. For owners, it is a time to gain momentum and attract new customers.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than half of small business owners anticipate that Small Business Saturday will make a significant contribution to their overall holiday sales this year.
Nestled along Manchester Avenue, gourmet grocer Vom Faas is just one of many stores adorning the street with decorative windows and sidewalk signs, enticing holiday shoppers.
Friday shopper Kayla Ellis said she is "Shopping for family. Shopping for siblings. Maybe even a little bit for ourselves," as she took to Manchester Avenue in Maplewood for some gifts.
Ellis acknowledged the rarity of these local businesses.
"You can't find anything like this out in big stores like Walmart. This is all family-made. It makes you feel like you're at home, "she said.
Manchester Avenues also has Vom Fass. The shop sales one-of-a kind gifts.
"We give the gift of taste. We have foodie gifts, oils, and vinegars. Those are really popular, and we have the liqueurs," said Anita Von Ballmoos, owner of Vom Fass."The holiday season in November and December makes about a third of the annual income, so it's really huge."
For many of these businesses, this weekend and the upcoming month are make-or-break. It's the time when they do their best numbers and strive to gain momentum for the coming year.
Mystic Valley New Age Gifts is another Maplewood exclusive shop planning to make this season count.
Co-owner Traci Ponticello said, "It definitely puts us in the game to be ready for next year and gets us through the summer, allowing us to be ready to buy new stuff for next Christmas."
Cherokee Street in South City took the festive spirit up a notch with a holiday market featuring over 20 black-owned businesses.
Sarita Moody, Co-founder of the Black-owned small business holiday market said "This is a great opportunity to support small businesses, locally-made things in the St. Louis community, and most importantly, emerging Black-owned brands in the neighborhood."
"This is what makes a neighborhood a community. When you support local and support where you're from," said Ellis. The act of shopping locally becomes an investment in the community, fostering a sense of togetherness.