GALION, Ohio — Small Business Saturday, the often unnoticed shopping day sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is waiting to attract local shoppers in Galion Saturday.
Several locally owned shops, including Poland Hardware, the Evergreen Company, Toni’s Flowers and Flower Cart Florist in Galion will open their doors for the national shopping holiday. They’re not the only small Galion businesses but they have holiday products to kick off the season.
Poland Hardware will have special deals on tools and holiday decorations. They are open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“My mother-in-law made holiday bundles,” said co-owner Amie Wolf. “And we’re not putting money in a CEO’s pocket or shareholders. All our employees work and live here in Galion.”
The importance of shopping locally was reinforced by Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce President Joe Kleinknecht.
“Small businesses are the heart of these small communities. It’s good to get out and support them any time,” said Kleinknecht.
“And it pays to check out local (stores),” he added. “For every dollar spent locally, that turns into seven dollars in the community.”
This is the message behind the Shop Small movement initiated by American Express in 2010. The day became nationally recognized in 2011 because of its success in driving local sales in small communities.
American Express estimates a total of $14.3 billion are spent at small, independent shops on the day.
Evergreen Company owner Susan Gimble, who has run her Christmas decor on Harding Way in Galion since 1993, is ready. The business will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“All ornaments and Christmas greenery is 25 to 50 percent off. And we have a ladies boutique and that’s the same thing,” said Gimble.
She said with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals going on through the weekend at larger-scale shops, the local businesses get forgotten.
“Try local first. Don’t forget that I’m here,” she urged. “It’s always good to support your neighbors.”
Lisa Dye, owner of Flower Cart Florist on Harding Way West said she will open for business on Saturday, but she will close in time to catch the Buckeye game, which starts at noon.
“All of our Christmas stuff is here. They (customers) can either come here or they can use teleflora,” said Dye.
Teleflora is a service provided by Flower Cart Florist that allows customers to call in their orders; the florists at Flower Cart Florists will deliver the orders.
The locally owned flower shop has all the predictable holiday arrangements that include poinsettias and wreaths, but Dye said they do a little bit of everything in her shop.
“We have a gift shop with lots of different things. We also have Galion Tiger apparel and varsity jackets,” she said.
