Need a unique gift? Try these 7 Panama City area shops on Small Business Saturday

PANAMA CITY — Still need gift ideas, but also want to ease your conscience by supporting the local community?

As the holiday season creeps closer, look no further than “Small Business Saturday” to check boxes off your list and even find some unique items you would not find in a regular chain store.

Started by American Express 12 years ago to help encourage consumers to shop at small businesses in their own communities, the event is held the day after Black Friday and gives small businesses a chance to show off their goods.

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In an area devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 and then the COVID-19 pandemic last year, supporting local businesses is especially critical. Here are seven local businesses in the area to check out on Nov. 27:

Downtown Panama City

Sage — Sage is a women's clothing boutique in the middle of downtown offering the latest styles and accessories, said employee Jessica Caitlin.

“I think it's always important to shop local because it just gives back to the community. I feel like it keeps our businesses alive rather than just like chain stores,” Caitlin said. “Keeps us booming and moving.”

Caitlin said Sage will be giving away free goodie bags to the first 25 customers who purchase anything from their store. Some of the hot ticket items will be candles and gift cards, she said.

Sage also is one of the merchants participating in a “Hint-Hint” card, where regular customers can fill out a card of their sizes and items they are wanting. Then their significant others or family members can go out and use the card as a reference when looking for gifts.

Catherine Shores, chairwoman of the Downtown Improvement Board, said she feels that things are looking up for small businesses and that consumers are making an effort to check out local vendors when doing their holiday shopping.

“We can definitely feel the trend that people are trying to shop local and small and it's a great feeling,” Shores said. “Last year I know that we noticed it. People trying to shop small, they realized that the pandemic was killing these little restaurants and businesses and they attempted to come out and shop local and small.”

Shores said small businesses are here and ready for consumers once they are complete with their Black Friday shopping and is excited for the appreciation shoppers give local businesses when purchasing their items.

“The way we picture Black Friday is kind of for the big box, y'all go wait in line, get your good deals,” Shores said. “We'll be here. Small Business Saturday is really where people kind of show the love to small business. Not that we have to give them deals to bring them in. Kind of advertised more as a ‘show the love to the small local retailers.’”

C&G Sporting Goods — Locally-owned and operated since 1950, C&G Sporting Goods has Panama City’s best selection of hunting gear, including rifles, handguns, knives, scopes, binoculars and archery equipment.

Owner Nate Taylor said he will be putting out deals for both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, but noted that with recent inflation and supply chain issues, they have been working with customers to provide fair prices throughout the year.

“We're very much aware of the economy right now and we've already been working as hard as we can to get as much product in as possible for our customers because it is such a bear right now with getting your orders in and product and shipping and all these other issues that we truly can't control,” Taylor said. “Black Friday, we will have some discounted items. Small Business Saturday's going to be fun.”

Taylor said customers can still expect him to be out that Saturday morning with the usual coffee and donuts. However, he hopes that shoppers will take the message of Small Business Saturday and apply it to their everyday lives, as well as hopes that small business owners are taking notes.

“If you're a business in downtown Panama City, it should be small business every day that you're open,” Taylor said. “It is a very competitive market right now. And again, with the economy the way that it is, you've got to put yourself and elevate yourself up there to be a real competitor right now.”

Little Mustard Seed — Self-described as an “eclectic mix of old and new,” the Little Mustard Seed has an array of unique items that were personally selected by owners Greg and Rebecca Snow. You can even pick up some handmade fudge or hand-dipped ice cream as you shop.

For Rebecca Snow, she loves this time of year and helping the customers as they shop for gifts.

“I love meeting people,” Snow said. “The fun part for me is helping people pick the right item or unique item for someone they love or someone they haven’t seen in a while. Being here and offering unique items that you can’t find anywhere else makes me feel I’m getting to be a part of giving that gift with them.”

Snow said they will offer gift certificates and cash prizes, as well as a gift with purchase when you buy a Christmas item. They also will offer a deal that if you spend $100 or more in the store, you get to choose a mystery gift.

“It will be something from one of the local businesses downtown,” Snow said. “It’s kind of our way of giving back.”

She said it was great getting to include some of the local businesses in their special deals.

“We love our neighbors, so we are very much so wanting to support our neighbors,” Snow said. “We have people come in here all the time that have never been in here and I know they get the same. I want to spread the love so everyone can know how awesome it is down here.”

Snow said the local businesses know how important this time of year is and wants the public to remember how much small businesses impact the community.

“Anyone who owns a business gives a lot back into the community,” Snow said. “Through taxes, it helps the school system, the fire departments, the police departments. If you don’t have small businesses, you’re not going to have that funding within your community.”

St. Andrews

Little Village — Little Village specializes in items from around the world and from local artists. According to owner Sandi Wolf, most of their inventory comes from fair trade companies that pay above average wages to the craftsmen and give back to improving the living conditions of their communities.

As for what they have planned on Small Business Saturday, Wolf said to expect major sidewalk sales.

“We've got a lot of things,” Wolf said. “We'll be putting out items that are highly discounted to 50%, 75%.”

For the first time ever, St. Andrews vendors will be featuring young entrepreneurs in the area and letting them set up booths in front of stores during the holiday. Wolf said she saw the owner from Floriopolis post about it and decided to feature two individuals, Martina and Aiden, whom she had met before.

“So, we have one girl that raises her own honey bees and she makes products from that,” Wolf said. “She makes soaps, lip balms, all kinds of things. And then I have a little boy that's painting rocks and making flowers out of them.”

Wolf said bringing in the community and supporting the mom-and-pop shops create a bigger sense of unity for everyone.

“I started out here, going to a weekend market and had three little huts out there,” Wolf said. “And 10 years later, we've done all this because the people were craving things like that. And we all take a hit with everybody shopping with Amazon and ordering stuff and the big box stores. I really think there'll be more of a focus on small businesses with the current situation.”

SunJammers — Looking for a gift for the adventurous person in your life? SunJammers is stacked with all the essentials for a day on the water, in the woods, or for just hanging out with your friends. They sell top brands, like Hobie Kayaks, Yeti products, Eno Hammocks and Costa Sunglasses.

Owner Brad Stephens said they will be open on Nov. 27 like any other Saturday, but promises they will be offering some unique deals for shoppers. Shoppers will just have to stay tuned into their social media accounts to see what the deals are.

“We announce all of that stuff on our social media pages the night before Small Business Saturday,” Stephens said.

Stephens said they usually have almost 15 people lined up to their door every year before they open, so he feels good about this upcoming holiday season and is happy about the relationship he has with the local community.

“We try to have a very open door with our community,” Stephens said. “We work with a ton of nonprofits and we try to be very personal with all of our customers as they come in. You know, we care about them as a person first and foremost before they're a customer.”

Gypsybeach Treasured Kreations — Offering styles in boho, beach, farmhouse or vintage, this store features handmade artwork and gifts from 35 local artists and two from out of state.

Owner Kathie Patterson said as of now, all she is revealing is that she will be offering a raffle for a gift basket containing an assortment of local goods from her shop.

“I've got 37 artists here, so it'll still be a big basket,” Patterson said.

Patterson said she is also one of the businesses letting young entrepreneurs set up booths in front of their shop and sell their own items.

“There'll be entrepreneurs under the age of 21 that make things and sell things,” Patterson said. “We have everything from nails to cookies and dog biscuits. So, they will be lined up on Beck Avenue.”

Patterson said that Small Business Saturday is critical for the local economy and this year is especially important after the pandemic.

“Small business Saturday is a lot for us, if we flop Small Business Saturday, it kind of sets a trend of what we're going to be doing,” Patterson said. “It means a lot this year, especially after going through Michael and then going through two years of COVID that we'll just hammer this down, then now it's picking up. And everything that's purchased in here, my money goes back into the city.”

Native Spirit Museum and Gallery — A unique gem within St. Andrews, Native Spirit shows off authentic Native American artifacts and decorations from the Panhandle and surrounding areas. Owner Ben Liggin said artists and creators have their work displayed and for sale in the gallery, meeting most of them from attending “pow-wows” during the past 15 years.

“That's where I met a lot of the artists that are in the gallery from all around the Southeast, most of the Native Americans from the South,” Liggin said. “And then also on the east circuit, you'll run into a lot of us guys that aren't Native American that are artists and do things, as well as young ladies that do the same thing.”

Liggin said certain items will be discounted in the store on Saturday and he will be offering discounts to local artists and musicians.

“Some of the crystals will be discounted and some of the purses, things like that,” Liggin said. “We got everything stocked up and ready to go.”

Small businesses are what built this county, Liggin said. He wants to remind shoppers that business owners are here every day and work hard to provide an atmosphere unlike any other.

“The people that work in their family businesses have their life invested in it,” Liggin said. “So, you know, we're going to be here every day. We're going to be happy. We're going to try to do whatever we can to make the customer happy and give them a good deal.”

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City Florida downtown shops prepare for Small Business Saturday