Small Business Saturday makes big impact on communities

Florida has 2.4 million registered small businesses

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Black Friday kicked off the weekend of holiday shopping, and it’ll continue with Small Business Saturday, a chance for people to shop local and support small businesses. 

Small Business Saturday is a day to recognize all of the local businesses across the country that are a part of the communities they serve. 

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There are 2.4 million small businesses across Florida. 

Pat Coyle told News4Jax he thinks it’s small businesses that revitalize old neighborhoods in communities, and he’s showing his support this holiday weekend. He said he searches for treasures at places like 5 Points Vintage whenever he can.  

“This is the opportunity to go out and avoid all the crowds,” Coyle said. “Come find that certain treasure from your childhood or that special something for somebody.”

Dawn Lackey said her local vintage shop is looking forward to some extra business and opening up its doors for people looking for that one-of-a-kind gift.   

“We hope to get a lot of traffic,” Lackey said. “We have 24 dealers, so we have a huge variety of gifts. (Shoppers) are going to find the most unique things you could find in a place like this.”

Just across the street, Annmarie Phillips owns Jane Doe Boutique. She’s had her 5 Points store for almost seven years and said Saturday is a chance for her to reconnect with customers who support her business all year round.  

“This community is such a close-knit community. I drive an hour to come to work every day because this community is so wonderful,” Phillips said. “Here in 5 Points, local shoppers really love local business. So that’s important and that’s why they come.”

Clay County

The Clay Chamber, the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida and Clay County Tourism have encouraged small businesses to participate in Shop Small Saturday. 

“We’re excited about this initiative,” Annie Grogan, with the Small Business Development Center, said. “We spoke one-on-one to many Clay County small businesses about this initiative, and nearly 100 are participating in some form or fashion.” 

“This is truly a grass-roots marketing initiative,” said Kimberly Morgan, Clay County director of tourism. “Shopping is usually the number one activity when people travel. You have to get that souvenir or memento from your trip.”

Click here to see a list of businesses participating

Residents can help get the word out and celebrate Small Business Saturday by shopping local and using #ShopSmall on Facebook and other social networks.

Nassau County

The Fernandina Beach Market Place farmers market and the Fernandina Beach Arts Market will be open every Saturday in December starting this weekend. Open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., both markets are full of places to find gifts and treats to make shopping Small Business Saturday a real treat. 

Shopping with small businesses can make a huge impact in a small community. 

With Thanksgiving over and the Christmas season upon us, we know that the time is right for King's Kountry Produce's Florida strawberries to be coming to harvest soon, as well as seasonal favorites such as cabbage, squash, greens, beans and carrots. 

Seven Trees will have poinsettias and Christmas cacti for the holiday season, and Rudy has re-branded Maria's Bakery; it is now Ferra's Bakery, but they have all of the same familiar recipes, like baked spinach pies and focaccia bread.

Lizzie's Cheese Straws will be at the farmers market this Saturday with their crunchy, savory cheese crackers, and Steephill Designs will be back with syrup from their Vermont farm.

Alain le Lait will be our featured musician of the week, and the Amelia Island Museum will have representatives on hand to answer your questions about the holiday home tour.

The Fernandina Beach Market Place is located on North Seventh Street in Fernandina's historic district, and the Arts Market is adjacent to the farmers market in the back parking lot of the Pineland bank.

For more information, please email info@fernandinabeachmarketplace.com.