Shop Small, Shop Local: Austin Businesses Gear Up for Busy Holiday Season
The holiday season is upon us, and for many Austin small businesses, this means a flurry of activity as shoppers seek unique gifts and support local communities. From stocking up on inventory to planning special promotions, local retailers are going the extra mile to attract customers and make this holiday season their most successful yet.
“For the kitchen store side of the business, this is a really important time for us,” said Tony Curtis-Wellings, founder of Faraday’s Kitchen Store, which has been serving the Lake Travis/Bee Cave area since 2005. To prepare for the influx of holiday shoppers, Curtis-Wellings triples his inventory and trains staff on new product offerings and promotions. He knows that 70% of his annual revenue and 100% of his profit will be generated in these next two months, with the vast majority occurring over Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
But for many shoppers, the appeal of local businesses goes beyond just the unique products they offer. It’s about supporting the heart and soul of their communities.
Small Business Saturday, created by American Express in 2010 and co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Association, has become a powerful national movement encouraging consumers to Shop Small on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
“Small Business Saturday is more than a day. It is an opportunity for Austinites to invest in what makes our city unique — our diverse and creative small businesses,” wrote Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, director of Austin’s Economic Development Department, in a statement.
In Austin, local retailers are stepping up their efforts to make this year’s Small Business Saturday a memorable one.
Pei Sim, owner of The Paper and Craft Pantry, emphasizes the intentional curation of goods in her store. "I love being really intentional with the products we have in our shop, and finding really great, unique, quality goods from all over the world that people that love paper goods are just really excited to find,” Sim said.
This year, she’s foregoing her usual storefront hours but instead hosting a vendor pop-up market featuring over a dozen other small businesses. It’s a way to celebrate the Shop Small movement and create a collective experience for customers.
The Paper and Craft Pantry will have new merchandise, include goodies with purchases at the market, and vendors will donate their vendor fees to local nonprofits like Black Mamas ATX and the Make a Wish Foundation’s local chapter.
Paws on Chicon, a pet store specializing in animal nutrition, is also embracing the spirit of giving this holiday season. The store is hosting a charity drive to support Austin Animal Center’s Orange Dot Crew, offering discounts, sales, and holiday-themed gifts for pets and their human companions.
Tim Andrews, managing partner at Paws on Chicon, underscores the importance of supporting local businesses, especially during the holiday season. "Austin is a very expensive place to live, and local independent merchants tend to pay their staff better than big box stores do," Andrews explained. "When people spend money in locally owned businesses, the vast majority of that money stays right here in the Austin community. It goes directly back into the economy here in Austin. So, it’s not only good for the merchant and the merchant’s employees, but it’s good overall for the community, because it keeps that money here and flowing.”
Andrews noted the store was prepared for the December shopping rush, having stocked up on inventory and curated a selection of holiday
* How does Small Business Saturday benefit Austin’s local economy?
## Supporting Local: Austin Gears Up for Holiday Shopping Season
**HOST:** Welcome back to the show. With the holidays right around the corner, many of us are starting to think about our gift lists. And for those looking for unique presents and a way to support their community, shopping local is a great option. Joining us today is Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of Austin’s Economic Development Department, to talk about the importance of supporting small businesses this holiday season. Welcome, Sylnovia.
**SYLVNOVIA:** Thanks for having me.
**HOST:** So Sylnovia, we’re hearing a lot about “Shop Small” and “Shop Local” initiatives. Can you tell us a bit about why that’s so important, especially this time of year?
**SYLVNOVIA:** Absolutely! Small businesses are the heart and soul of our city. They create jobs, contribute to our unique character, and foster a sense of community. The holiday season is crucial for many of these businesses, as it often generates a significant portion of their annual revenue. When we choose to shop small, we’re directly investing in the vibrancy and success of our local economy.
**HOST:** Absolutely. And of course, we have a big day coming up dedicated to just that – Small Business Saturday.
**SYLVNOVIA:** That’s right! Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 30th this year, is more than just a day; it’s a movement. It encourages consumers to patronize independently owned businesses and enjoy the unique offerings they provide.
**HOST:** We’ve heard stories about Austin-area businesses really going above and beyond to prepare for the holiday rush. What are some examples?
**SYLVNOVIA:** You’ll see many businesses offering special promotions, hosting festive events, and showcasing unique holiday merchandise. For example, Tony Curtis-Wellings, founder of Faraday’s Kitchen Store, triples his inventory and trains his staff on new product offerings to meet the increased demand during the holiday season.
**HOST:** It sounds like there’s a lot of excitement building for this holiday shopping season in Austin. any advice for our listeners on how to best support local businesses?
**SYLVNOVIA:**
Simple! Visit your favorite local shops, explore new ones, and tell your friends and family about these gems. Every purchase, referral, and shared experience helps these businesses thrive. Remember, when you shop small, you’re making a big difference.
**HOST:** Great advice! Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Director of Austin’s Economic Development Department, thank you so much for joining us today.
**SYLVNOVIA:** My pleasure! Happy Holidays!
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