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Ashland store owners prepare for Small Business Saturday

Posted at 11:25 PM, Nov 27, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-27 23:32:14-05

ASHLAND, Va. -- From buying online or at the mall, where you buy and what you buy go hand in hand. Especially when it comes to keeping those dollars in your community. That's why Saturday November 28 is a very special and important day for local businesses.

Businesses in Ashland like furniture store Thrill of the Hunt, and Jake's Place restaurant are encouraging consumers to shop small.

Wendy Yohman

Wendy Yohman

As Jake's Place owner Wendy Yohman said with a smile, "come one, come all!"

Saturday, kicks off what's officially known as Small Business Saturday. The purpose is to go out and spend money at local shops by buying from them instead of larger or national chains.

"Those are the real businesses that's you've got to support. We've got some really nice ones here in Ashland  and we do not want to see any of them go away," said shoppers Margie and David Koogler.

Dana Wood owns Thrill Of  The Hunt and said, "it's just a time where we feel like we get some recognition for being here for customers 365 days a year.”

A consumer insight survey estimated that 14.3 billion dollars was spent on Small Business Saturday last year. That figure is important for both customers and store owners.

Thrill of the Hunt

Thrill of the Hunt

"Nothing against the big box stores but the heart and soul of community is in the small shop. It's in the hometown shopkeeper door that keeps and drives the community," said Yohman.

So when consumers head out shopping Saturday, small business owners like Yohman want you to remember this: “there’s a relationship that you also build and form with that shopkeeper and they're the one that are going to nurture you and take care of you during your buying process."

Wood added, "come in, visit us, see what we have even if you don't buy anything at least support the small business merchants in the area."

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