Frankfort Stores Prepare for Small Business Saturday

Black Friday may be dominated by mega-sales at big box stores, but Saturday is all about the little guy.

Nov. 24 is the third annual Small Business Saturday.

“We can’t compete with doorbusters at Kohls and Target,” said Teresa Kara, who owns Chew on This Dog Barkery in downtown Frankfort and serves as secretary of the Frankfort Historic Business Association. “This is a way for us to create a niche.”

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is the local business owners’ answer to Black Friday. The national event takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving and encourages customers to patronize independently owned businesses during one of the season’s busiest shopping weekends. Participating stores typically offer sales and specials in honor of the event.

Last year, more than 100 million shoppers participated in Small Business Saturday, according to americanexpress.com.

“When people shop local, those tax dollars and things, they stay local,” said Karen Blake, executive director of the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber promoted Small Business Saturday by sending a list of participating businesses to their email recipients. This is the second year that the chamber has executed an email campaign to create awareness about the event. 27 chamber businesses will participate in Small Business Saturday in 2012, which is an increase compared to last year, according to Blake.

“With the economy the way it is, I think everybody needs to support their local businesses,” said Corey Weaver, who owns My Sister’s and Me Boutique.

But for Weaver, Small Business Saturday is about more than revenue. My Sister’s and Me will donate 10 percent of its proceeds from the event to Kim Trainor, a local woman who is battling kidney cancer and is in need of assistance covering treatment and other costs.

Briosa Boutique will also fundraise to assist Trainor with her various expenses.

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