CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Small business owners throughout West Virginia are calling on shoppers to spend more of their holiday dollars closer to home. Saturday is Small Business Saturday throughout the Mountain State and across the United States.
“West Virginia’s small businesses are major contributors to the strength of our local economies,” said Kristina Oliver, state director of the West Virginia Small Business Development Center.
“When you invest in small business, that makes sense as an economic development strategy.”
Special sales, promotions, giveaways and other events were planned to attract shoppers to local independent businesses in West Virginia’s communities as opposed to big box stores or online retailers.
Participating communities include Charleston, Fairmont, Kingwood, Mannington, Martinsburg, Morgantown, Philippi, Point Pleasant, Ripley, Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs along with Belington, Beverly, Kenova, Madison, Marlinton, Parkersburg, Parsons, Charles Town, Romney, Rowlesburg, Shinnston, Sutton and Wheeling.
During last year’s Small Business Saturday, those with Casto’s Department Store in Ripley said business was up by at least 35 percent.
Nationwide, the Small Business Administration estimated shoppers spent approximately $5.7 billion at locally-owned stores during 2013’s Small Business Saturday. This year, the SBA is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to encourage people who are “shopping small” on Saturday to also “dine small” at locally-owned restaurants.
More than 95 percent of West Virginia’s businesses are considered small businesses.
Oliver said, overall, those small businesses are thriving.
“There have been some hills and valleys with the economic challenges within the state as throughout the country,” she said. “But I believe that our small businesses are strong and they’re seeking the opportunities that they need to be successful.”
Oliver said West Virginia’s most successful small businesses have several factors in common.
“They focus on getting the skills and talents that they need. They reach out for technical assistance and management assistance. They try to learn all that they can and put together a strategic plan and keep focused on that,” she said.
For more information on the West Virginia Small Business Development Center, which provides coaching and other support to small businesses, click here.
For more information on Small Business Saturday, click here.