During the holiday shopping season, Polk County businesses are getting ready for Small Business Saturday with special offerings that ca n’t be found at big-box retailers, like exclusive clothing items and sentimental gifts.
According to Julie Townsend, senior director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority,” Small Business Saturday is like the best time of year for our central little retailers.”
Smaller retailers provide more nearby goods, gifts, or specialty items as well as a peaceful shopping experience without having to tell customers where the discounted items are, in contrast to big-box stores that offer deep discounts to draw customers.
Without lengthy lines and shopping carts, Townsend said,” It’s the shopping experience that makes you feel good because you’re able to support local businesses.”
The distinctive services of local stores are being mentioned in data from the National Retail Federation, so it’s not just the factory owners talking about it.
Over the course of Black Friday trip in 2022, more than 122.7 million people entered retailers, an increase of 17 % over the previous year, according to NRF.
After turkey breakfast on Thursday, downtown residents have something to do all weekend long at any time of the day thanks to the native merchants, which range from clothing boutiques and coffee shops that opened as early as 7 a.m. to bars that stay open until after midnight and feature door busters.
There are many wonderful stuff in Winter Haven.
At least 35 organizations in Winter Haven are working on campaigns aimed at customers who visit the city’s downtown during the start of the holiday shopping season. Among other things, a Shop Small Saturday event is being held in Main Street Winter Haven.
There are many wonderful things these companies have to offer, but what we’re actually highlighting from Main Street are a lot of the door-busters and specials they are providing that day, according to Meghan Makie, the company’s director of enrollment and promotion.
The Haven Local Shop, The Florida Room, and Gourmet Goodies, to name a few, are among the retailers offering promotional items and one-of-a-kind experience.
According to manager Corbin Hart, who is the fourth generation to work at the family-owned company since it opened in 1945, Andy Thornal Company, the retailer for eclectic old-school outdoor gear and fly-fishing lessons, will continue its tradition of offering$ 10 off purchases of$ 50 or more and$ 30 off any$ 150 purchase.
Additionally, he added, the retailer will offer some gift-with-purchase discounts, particularly on its top-brand sunglasses, shoes, and sandals. Thornal sells knives, lamps, and fine jewelry in addition to both gown and outside clothing.
A Dometic electric-powered cooler that plugs into a car’s cigarette lighter interface and freezes to minus seven degrees is novel, according to Hart. One of our most well-liked attributes this year is that.
On the days when big-box retailers offer online deals, Hart said he is starting to notice more base traffic at neighborhood businesses.
The experience you have at a small business like ours on those breaks is only completely different, he said, which is why I’ve noticed an increase in traffic during those times. ” You receive one-on-one interest, one on one customer service, and you receive high-quality products that you simply cannot find anywhere else.”
It’s a fun shopping knowledge, says In Lakeland.
Townsend added that regional retailers provide more than just one-of-a-kind clothes and gifts.
Townsend continued,” It’s a much more comfortable buying encounter.” ” Shopping is a good time.” You know, I tell people that it’s where you can find special items. This is due to the fact that the goods being sold are antique, fair-trade, handmade goods from different nations, or goods that support charitable causes.
She remarked,” They’re significant and much more individualized.” There are Lakeland-themed items like birds, as well as stores selling children’s clothing and accessories, tea models, kids ‘ clothing, gifts, gift cards from nearby restaurants, and axe-throwing or escape-room locations. Tasty Tuesday cards are also available from the LDDA.
She said,” You can purchase wonderful city Lakeland experiences to give to someone who perhaps you think already has everything they need.”
Townsend claimed that a number of shops that cater to regional shoppers have been available for many years, if not decades, including Traditions Unlimited, Marni Johnson Home Essentials, and Scout and Tag. These businesses have all been around for at least ten years or even several centuries.
The busiest day of the year for Amelia Page Boutique, which sells women’s clothing and accessories, is usually Saturday, according to Alisha Lowett.
Lowett remarked,” We are more of a women present boutique.” There are romantic and faith-based gifts in addition to the clothes. The fashion sense of clothes appeals to a wide range of ages, from 16-year-olds on up to top members.
Public park: This holiday season, Lakeland’s Main Street Garage will offer more public park.
Its distinctive giving is a hat club where customers can alter the material, patches or pins, such as hearts, bolts of lightning, butterflies, or jewelry, to make their own rancher or trucker-style clothing.
The store posts boots, style tops, t-shirts, and cotton clothes with a cowboys and country theme on its Instagram page.
A store for women’s clothes and items is operated in Dixieland by company owner Christine Boring at Bungalow Boutique and Gifts, where customers can find products for a wife, mother, or child as well as something for themselves, such as clothing and dresswear. The majority of items are under$ 100.
” Our inventory differs from that of any of the other businesses.” Barbara Boulerice, director and sister of Boring, said,” We try to keep things somewhat exclusive.”
The store has kept a little collection of local artwork by painting Mary May Witte and Scott West and is housed in an old art museum.
Given that we are in Lakeland, we often have a large number of swans in the store, according to Boulerice.