Minot Shops Open on Small Business Saturday | Video

Rene Thibault | 11/24/2012

Black Friday means a dash to the big box stores. Cyber Monday is a day spent in front of a computer screen. Right in between the two is Small Business Saturday, a day when people in Minot are supporting shops in their neighborhoods.

"The local shops downtown are really the heart of the city. It`s kind of the heartbeat of the community and we`re fortunate we have a community that really supports local businesses in downtown Minot; and today is a celebration of that," said Cookies for You owner Mary-Helen Hasby.

The event itself is only about two years old, but it`s already gaining traction. Last year, more than 100 million people across the country shopped at independently owned businesses over the weekend. Owners say the one-day revenue boost is important, but it carries a stronger message.

"There`s probably about a million reasons. I think one very large reason is for about every hundred dollars you spend in a local business, about 80 some dollars stays in the community, as apposed to national chains, where only about forty dollars stays in the community. It helps make our community strong and vibrant," said Main Street Books owner Val Stadick.

"I just think that its fun to shop these businesses. You meet the owners, you meet the people that are working there, putting their blood sweat and tears into it every single day. It`s just fun to see the people that come down and support that," said La Di Da Boutique owner Katie DeLorme.

Shop owners say customers are doing more than just opening their wallets. They say every person through the door helps keep small businesses running and a community thriving.

"Now is the time to support, especially in honor of today to support your local businesses and tell them you appreciate them being there, because it really is the heartbeat of the community," Hasby said.

Hasby and Stadick say Small Business Saturday has been one of the busiest days in terms of revenue for their stores over the past few years.

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