Thanksgiving leftovers are in the fridge and extended family members are headed home, which means holiday shopping is about to kick into high gear this weekend with Small Business Saturday.

Across the country small businesses are hosting events and offering up holiday savings to get community members to support local versus lining up outside big box stores, and St. Paul is no exception.

Zsamé Morgan, owner of mobile bookstore Babycake’s Book Stack, said when you shop locally, you’re not only supporting the person and the family behind the store, you’re also supporting the community as a whole.

“Small businesses often support other small and local businesses, so it creates an entire ecosystem,” Morgan said. “The money stays in the community longer when we support community businesses, which benefits everybody.”

For those who prefer to do their shopping from the couch, Morgan assures, “Buying online isn’t bad.”

Small businesses also benefit from online sales, Morgan said, adding that online sales can help sustain what might otherwise be seasonal businesses, like her own traveling bookstore.

Small Business Saturday, which was founded in 2010 by American Express, has slowly become a staple for small business owners, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, which started cosponsoring the event in 2011.

Consumers who shopped at small and independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday last year reached an estimated $17.9 billion, according to a consumer insights survey commissioned by American Express.

The state of Minnesota has over 530,000 small businesses and those establishments employ nearly half of the state’s workforce, said Brian McDonald, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota office.

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The goal of Small Business Saturday is to shine a spotlight on small retailers and restaurants and encourage consumers to make an impact in their community by supporting local business owners, McDonald said.

“It isn’t just one day,” McDonald said, citing a consumer insight survey that found nearly 72 percent of shoppers said Small Business Saturday makes them want to shop and eat small year-round. “That is critical because local businesses are the job creators, the risk-takers and our neighborhood hubs that keep the community vibrant and livable,” he said.

So, what can shoppers look forward to on Nov. 25? Here’s a quick look at some of the events planned for the east metro area.

Selby Avenue

Deal-hunters on Selby Avenue can get an extra boost this Saturday in the form of the Selby Avenue Business Prize Passport Booklet, a stamp card that makes shoppers eligible for a prize drawing, said Jens Werner, executive director of the Summit-University Planning Council.

Shoppers can grab a booklet from the 41 participating Selby Avenue stores like Gravy Babies, TB’z Customz, The Hi Hat, The Yarnery and Tooth Fairy Candy Store. Each store you visit, you get a stamp and with five or more stamps, you can enter your booklet into the prize drawing.

The mobile bookstore, Babycake’s Book Stack, will be parked at the intersection of Selby Avenue and Dale Street in St. Paul on Nov. 25, 2023 to celebrate Small Business Saturday, which encourages shoppers to support local businesses. The heated bus stretches 33-feet long and holds some 4,500 titles. (Courtesy of Zsamé Morgan)

Babycake’s Book Stack’s mobile bookstore will be up and running for its first-ever Small Business Saturday, Morgan said, thanks to the avenue-wide event.

The bookstore, which will be parked at the intersection of Selby Avenue and Dale Street, runs out of a heated bus that stretches 33 feet long and can hold about 4,500 books.

The titles the store stocks focus on diversity and different cultures, Morgan said, “with the intent for visitors and readers to see themselves on the shelves.”

Tameka Jones, owner of beauty product store Lip Esteem at 876 Selby Ave., said last year’s Small Business Saturday brought in steep sales and she hopes to replicate the success this year.

At Lip Esteem, shoppers can expect 50% off everything except for the newly-launched products, Jones said, and fellow business owners will receive a free lip balm.

“Small businesses wouldn’t survive without the community, so we need more people to shop locally,” Jones said.

The Summit-University Planning Council is also hosting a “Meet Your Neighbors” event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Fivetwosix Event Space, located at 526 Selby Ave. The prize drawing takes place at 3:30 p.m. and you and your stamp book must be present to win.

Werner said the council worked to bring a larger event to Selby Avenue this year after many of the businesses took a hit over the summer due to poorly-communicated B-Line Bus Rapid Transit construction.

“We hope this event brings in some business so they can close out their fourth quarter strong,” Werner said.

West Side Makers Market

Artists and makers will be selling locally made pieces like ceramics, fiber art, candles, clothing and jewelry on St. Paul’s West Side at The Lowlands Makers Market.

Located at 160 Wabasha St. S, festivities start at 10 a.m. and include food, coffee, a lounge area and a lineup of local artists performing throughout the day.

Hastings

The town of Hastings leaves little to be desired this weekend with its Small Business Saturday and Holiday Hoopla event.

The day’s festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast with Santa at the Lock and Dam Eatery and go on to include a coloring contest at Spiral Brewery, ornament painting at Squeaky Wheel Pottery, art vendors and free chili at ArtSpace River Lofts and more.

To see the full event schedule, go to https://hastingsdba.com/holiday-hoopla.

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