Shoppers Support Small Business Saturday

With piles of advertisement fliers in hand, many shoppers began their Christmas shopping on Black Friday to take advantage of big box stores' slashed prices on toys, furniture, electronics, clothing and appliances.

Now a new day, Small Business Saturday, has hit the frenzied holiday shopping scene. The goal for Small Business Saturday is for shoppers to shop at small independently-owned businesses.

The idea was formulated by a group of small business advocates with a Facebook page and is led by American Express. The idea behind the effort is to support small businesses that employ half of all private-sector employees, represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms and to give the $68 of every $100 spent at local businesses back to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

Shoppers, knowing about the day and those who hadn't yet heard about it, were out and about celebrating Small Business Saturday at  the Seven Arrows Farm located at 346 Oakhill Ave. on the Attleboro/Seekonk town line. 

This small business has been owned and operated for the past 30 years by husband and wife duo Judy and Michel Marcellot. They attribute the success of their business, started with an $800 tax return, to having a passion and love for what they do.

Bob and Barbara Ferioli of Lincoln, RI heard about Small Business Saturday on the radio. "I am a great advocate of the small business, positively," Ferioli said."She and her husband were shopping this morning for some aromatic lavender. Ferioli is using it to make soothing microwave heated neck pillows to be used as Christmas gifts.

Dylan Mowry of Attleboro, who hadn't heard of Small Business Saturday, was shopping for essential oils to mix up for tinctures, alternative medicines to boost immune systems and for improved overall health. Mowry is a regular customer at the herb farm, very happy to give them his business. "I've always thought it better to support local businesses rather than large corporate chain stores."

With Black Friday shopping, shoppers have to deal with loss of sleep, long lines and sometimes pushy shoppers vying for the last item on the shelf. Waiting until Saturday, shoppers can get classes with their purchases. That is what Jean Calautti from North Attleboro got from Seven Arrows. Calautti attended one of the several classes at the farm learning how to create a Celtic Tree.  "I did hear about today being Small Business Saturday and I absolutely support it," she said. "I'm tired of the malls and I  shop locally first."

Dave Erwin from Warren, RI was shopping for an aromatherapy class that he teaches at the farm. Erwin said he prefers to shop at local businesses instead of at big chain stores. "Today with everyone texting and 'computering,' I find that I am better connected to small family-owned businesses. It's more fun having a relationship with them."