Where to shop in Columbus for Small Business Saturday
Shopping and dining in locally owned businesses impacts Columbus’ local economy much more than you’d think, according to Bitsy Dedwylder, coordinator for the MidTown Business Association.
“It’s estimated that for every dollar spent in a Columbus locally-owned business, about 67 cents stays here in our community through sales tax, payroll and other expenditures,” Dedwylder said.
And in the midst of the hustle of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping, she’s encouraging Columbus residents to shop local this Small Business Saturday, which is being championed nationwide for the 10th year by American Express.
Small Business Saturday spending has reached an estimate of $103 billion since the day began in 2010, according to the American Express website.
Dedwylder sees firsthand the impact shopping small has on the local economy.
“Local businesses hire local accountants to do their books, local contractors to remodel or repair their spaces, local advertising agencies for marketing their company. So the money that stays here continues to change hands and continues to benefit Columbus,” Dedwylder said.
She of course is partial to midtown, an area she says hosts a “great variety of merchandise in about a mile and a half radius.”
“Formal wear, jewelry, furniture, plants, hardware and tools,children’s clothing, men’s clothing, even dog’s clothing— and they’re all easy to get to, and all have great service and expertise,” Dedwylder said. “You can have coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner and do all your shopping in midtown in one day and only spend 10 minutes behind your wheel.”
While making a point to shop small and shop locally can be done any day of the year, there are a few places promoting Small Business Saturday to help you make the most of your holiday shopping.
Head to the St. Elmo Shopping Center, which a large number of midtown’s small businesses like Gloria Mani Fine Art, LumiLane and Parker’s Pantry call home.
Park Place, a new interiors and gift shop, will open its doors for the first time on Small Business Saturday for a soft opening.
There will also be another opportunity to celebrate shopping small on December 7, when the shopping center is hosting a holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Park Place and LumiLane will celebrate their grand openings, and Parker’s Pantry, Dramatic Paws, Quest Pilates, Frank Romeo’s and Gloria Mani Fine Art will participate as well.
Market Days on Broadway
Columbus’ normal Market Days on Broadway will be kicked up a notch for Small Business Saturday. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the 1000 block of Broadway.
Offerings could include local produce, homemade treats and jams, home-grown flowers and plants, vegan and natural products, unique jewelry, local art, wood crafts and much more.
While you’re in town, shop at the large number of small businesses located in the uptown district.
The Columbus Collective Art Sale
The Columbus Collective, a community of artists working to make sharing art more accessible, is holding a Saturday art sale event from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pop UPtown, located at 1234 Broadway.
Local artists will have their wares for sale in the ultimate Shop Small event.
Not planning on visiting midtown or uptown this Saturday? You can use the American Express small business finder to locate places to shop near you.