ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — On Saturday, people throughout the St. Louis area participated in the nationwide celebration of Small Business Saturday. 5 On Your Side reporter Travis Cummings caught up with shoppers at the North County Recreational Complex.
Tables were brimming with an array of unique items—custom baskets, handmade jewelry, cozy winter clothes, and festive Christmas-themed goods—all available for purchase by those eager to find one-of-a-kind gifts and support small enterprises.
"I got me a candle. I also got me some sunglasses," one of the shoppers, Alexis Turner, said. "I got me a whole wide spectrum of things. I kind of just walked around the room and got whatever caught my eye. Got something for my grandmother which was some jewelry."
Turner and her mother, Leslie CayCe-Turner, braved the cold and snow to support the event, emphasizing the importance of backing local vendors
"People work hard and you want to reinvest," CayCe-Turner said. "We want to come out and support. They are out here selling their wares and we want to be able to support our community in the effort that they invest in their business."
Her daughter added" I really like enjoy seeing that in people's creativity into certain things that they like to enjoy making. I like to see that you notice a lot of people's gifts."
One of those vendors, Brenda Page, an Independent Paparazzi Consultant, shared how important this support is to her small business.
"Jewelry has always been my thing, and for just $5, you can get so much," she explained. "I offer a complimentary necklace with every women's piece, and it's the support from customers like the Turners that keeps me going—especially after the challenges of the pandemic."
One of those vendors said it was support like what she got from the mother-daughter duo that kept her afloat—especially after the challenges of the pandemic.
Small Business Saturday, which began in 2010 by American Express, was created to support local businesses and encourage shoppers to buy locally after the Black Friday holiday.
AMEX plan worked because, in 2023, $17 billion was spent on this holiday, according to the National Retail Federation.
As the holiday season continues, events like Small Business Saturday serve as a reminder of the vital role small businesses play in fostering community connections and driving local economies.