Wilmington-area small businesses set to make the most of the holiday shopping season
To some shoppers, it may already look like Small Business Saturday is here.
Earlier this month, there was a National Veterans Small Business Week. And some business advocates, such as the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, have been highlighting local shops, galleries and restaurants as a part of its holiday small business campaign.
“It seems that people are shopping a little earlier this year,” said Karen Sphar, executive vice president of the chamber. “Here, the season seems to start with the Boat Show.” (The Southport Wooden Boat show took place Nov. 5).
In conversations with businesses and shoppers, she said people are optimistic about the holiday shopping season, even amid concerns about the economy and inflation. An earlier start to the shopping season could be a way to get good deals.
They are also supporting those businesses that offer the experiences in addition to traditional gifts, like The Adventure Kayak Company and the newly opened Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge.
Plus, the early push helps boosts the recognition for the role that small businesses play in the economy. Many of them count on a busy holiday season for success. It’s one of the reasons that American Express launched Small Business Saturday in 2010 on the weekend after Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
It's been building momentum since then, spending on the day was an estimated $23.3 billion in 2021, up from $19.8 in 2020.
Even with the early push, look for activities and incentives to ramp up on Nov. 26. Cool Wilmington, the organization behind the American Craft Walk, is hosting another event on Small Business Saturday.
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“This was created as a similar event, only younger and slightly weirder with a bit more eclectic stuff,” said James Christopher, one of the organizers. More than 60 vendors, many of them local, will be in downtown Wilmington on Dock Street, between Water and 2nd streets, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Really Cool Stuff Holiday Market will have cotton candy, kettle corn, live music, a mobile record store spinning vinyl and more surprises.
“This is really a chance to buy gifts large and small and to meet and support local artisans,” Christopher said. “It’s different from the kind of experience you have when buy online, or in big box stores.”
Look for more shopping motivation from other retail centers. Along Castle Street, for example, most of the businesses will be offering raffles and prizes.
“Most of the businesses here are doing something,” said David Scott, an owner at CraftGrown Market at 603 Castle St. The shop is offering 25% off gift baskets and half-off classes in growing microgreens.
At the gourmet market, he offers a curated selection of gourmet goods sourced locally and elsewhere. There’s a Brooklyn-made Bloody Mary mix that has a following, he said, well as Wilmington-based Queen Esther Teas.
“At a shop like this, it’s a chance to support local but also maybe get things you can find on Amazon," Scott said.
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Wilmington small businesses getting a jumpstart on holiday season
