April 18, 2024

Shop Small a success for local businesses

By Jamee A

The Farmer's Wife was one of a number of local businesses who participated in the Shop Small promotion sponsored by Newton Main Street. The promotion, which runs through Dec. 8, hopes to encourage community members to shop local by offering coupons upon purchase. (Jamee A)

It may have started slow, but the Small Business Saturday was a success for local Newton businesses. For the second year, businesses teamed up with Newton Main Street for a Shop Small event, hoping to keep more people shopping in town during the holiday season.

“It’s getting busy,” Relic’s owner Laurie Nelson said.

Mattingly Music & Books also started to pick up as the noon hour came. The music and entertainment store had items up for raffle including a guitar and keyboard. Although more people were starting to walk through the door, owner Paul Mattingly said it was too soon to tell how the day was going to go.

Participating in the Shop Small promotion, Choices Christian Book Store had a good, steady crowd make their way through, and had given out several coupons for customers to use upon their return.

Also having a productive day were the Farmer’s Wife and Silverado Jewelry. Both had increased numbers the entire day, starting from the time they opened. Beckman Gallery reported a strong turn out for small business Saturday.

“It’s been good today,” the Farmer’s Wife owner Bonnie Terpstra said. “The turnout today has been good.”

Terpstra is participating in the shop small event and said although customers may not know the event is taking place, she has a good return from those who receive the coupons.

“We do get a lot of the vouchers back, it does help with getting return customers,” Terpstra said.

Following the same format as last year, customers received coupons for purchases made starting Saturday through Dec. 8. Customers can then redeem the coupons at the same store between Dec. 9 and Dec. 24.

Businesses had the option of issuing coupons at two different levels: a $5 coupon for every $25 spent, or $1 for every $10 spent. Businesses could also place additional restrictions on the coupons.

With shops packed and sales ringing, the effort to get people to shop local that is growing in popularity and looks to be a strong part of the future but during the holidays and all year round.