It's not just big box stores that are drawing the customers in this weekend. In between Black Friday and Cyber Monday lies something called Small Business Saturday and locally it's making a big impact.
Sales on Small Business Saturday jumped about 15 percent last year with people spending more than 14 billion dollars during the 24 hours. For all of the ma and pa shops in northeast Wisconsin, it goes without saying, they welcome the holiday.
In downtown Green Bay you don't need the door buster deals often found at big box stores, to draw in the crowds.
"You get more unique stuff like the old one off, little cute thing, or something really unique that you just can't find at a big box store that everyone has," says Jessica who is shopping off of Broadway in Green Bay.
But today on Small Business Saturday you will find the deals down here.
"We're offering discounts today and hopefully through Christmas we're going to have a lot of surprises," says Betsy Gallagher the co-owner of ZuLou.
Small Businesses Saturday is the ultimate effort to lure locals to a different kind of shopping experience.
"It's a lot more laid back here than in the mall I can tell you that much. And we have unique things. Everyone on the block strives to have something different," adds Gallagher.
For Wild Ginger, a new business on the block, it’s exciting to see the potential that the holiday shopping season could bring.
"We've never been through a holiday season so we didn't know what to expect," says Keli Biebel the owner of Wild Ginger.
The influx of foot traffic is a welcomed surprise for Biebel. Especially on the heels of Black Friday business.
"Yesterday was pretty good, but today is even better," adds Biebel.
So as Broadway bustles with business today, these mom and pop shops hope that consumers keep them in mind next time that they want to find that one of a kind shopping experience.
"I’m originally from Milwaukee so we're used to the big grand stores and everything. So it's nice to get the opportunity to come down here and support the local businesses," adds Jessica.
Small Business Saturday has only been in existence for six years now. According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses 83-percent of folks surveyed said the new holiday inspires them to shop small all year long.
