Small Business Saturday Also Means Customer Appreciation Day

NEWPORT, RI —At Bellevue Avenue's Papers, a stationary and gift store, Judy Carroll is looking forward to Small Business Saturday. The American Express Company's promotion, which reminds shoppers to buy local, is going into its eighth year with estimates its campaign has lined the pockets of shop and restaurant owners with $85 billion in revenues up to now. But Carroll, who has owned the store 22 years, says for her the appeal is more a customer appreciation day than a big sales day.

"It's not a huge day," she said based on past experience. "But it's an opportunity for me to see a lot of my customers" and give them a little present. Carroll cuts prices on every item in the store. The shoppers get 10 percent off.

"I just look forward to it as the start of the season," she said. Papers, which has been on Bellevue Avenue 40 years, sells stationery, date books, small gifts and lots of decorations.

"We also have a personalized ornament," she said that uses any photo on the customer's cell phone.

And, of course, she wraps gifts.

"We're hearing good things about the economy," she added. "I hope it will be good."

Over on Broadway, Sid Abruzzi, owner of Water Brothers, the skate and surf shop, said Small Business Saturday started kind of small a few years ago but has been gathering steam.

The organizers "came by the shop and gave us a bag," he said, thinking back four or five years ago. "It really didn't mean too much." But as the years passed, he's seen the concept catch on with customers, too.

"There are people who will go out and support small business," he said. "It's good to be appreciated." His one-room shop is definitely "what you call a small business," he quipped. He primarily sells clothes, he said. The Water Brothers sweatshirt is probably the top product, but he also has winter beanies, long-sleeved tee-shirts, zipper sweatshirts, and more.

"You see them all over," he said, with the distinctive WB logo.

Amanda Bryan, who owns Newport Sweet Shoppe on William Street with her husband, expects to sell a lot of Christmas candies.

"We have a discount and a little give-away," she said. Shoppers open the mystery gift and find a complementary cupcake or a 10 percent discount on the purchase, she said.

The chocolate-covered pretzels and sea salt caramels are favorites. The assorted chocolates are a big seller, and customers also like the gift baskets.

"It's a good day," she said based on past years. Both the locals and the tourists drop by.

More than half of Rhode Island workers are employed in the state's 100,000 small businesses, according to Mark S. Hayward, district director, U.S. Small Business Administration. "These businesses employ our friends, family and neighbors and by shopping small you are showing your support for them and your community,” he said. Hayward went over the numbers last week on a walking tour in downtown Bristol with the entire Rhode Island Congressional delegation.

“Small businesses provide a big boost to our economy," said U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, who was quoted in the SBA's press release. "Small Business Saturday has become a great tradition for shops and stores to work together and remind customers about the benefits of shopping locally. When you shop local, you’re investing in the community, and that’s a great bargain for everyone.”

Photo Caption: Shoppers in Newport brave the cold on Friday. Credit: Margo Sullivan/Patch Staff