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The small business was booming on Saturday, according to several downtown Rutland merchants.
Black Friday is really a day for the warehouse, "said Rebecca Buonadonna, owner of Fruition Fineries at 56 Merchants Row. "We had decent traffic, but today is our day."
According to a recent article in Fortune, American Express began marketing "Small Business Saturday" in 2010 in response to the Great Recession. Shortly after, the Senate passed a resolution in favor of Small Business Saturday and thus joined Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a new holiday for shopping.
"We have an excellent participation rate from the local community, they have come out to support and it was a really good day so far," said Buonadonna. "I am happy that the weather is nice, we have just offered wine and good luck."
Buonadonna also owns Raw Honey Apparel at 5 Center Street and is co-owner of Triumph Barre and Pilates Studio at 41 Center Street alongside Brianna McDevitt. The companies practice cross promotions between themselves and with other stores and are always looking to make new business friends.
"Teamwork helps to make the dream come true. The more you work with others in your community, the better everyone does it, "said Buonadonna.
A member of the Rutland Downtown Partnership, a non-profit organization funded by a tax district, Buonadonna said the group had done a lot to promote events that attract people to the area.
"It's an excellent organization, it has recently found new blood," she said.
Downtown Rutland may well be back, according to some new store owners.
Allison Willoughby, owner of Home Alternatives at 116 West Street with her husband Stephen, said Small Business Saturday had taken off in the city center.
"I think it really helps people get out and see places they've never been before," she said. "It brings people into the spirit, sort of. He was very busy. "
Many people are looking for gift ideas, but often they see something they really like on sale and hanging on, says Willoughby. Home Alternatives achieved a 20% discount on most items and distributed a free scented candle with purchases of $ 70 or more. The Willoughbys make the candles at home, but they hope to move the operation to the basement of the store at 116 West.
"Now they are discovering that there are many more activities in the city than before," said Stephen Willoughby. "It's coming back. Even the online bubble will burst. "
Small business Saturday and its promotion help people find what Rutland has to offer, said Beth Callan, director of Frogs & Lily Pads, located at 25 Center Street. The store sells clothes, toys and games for children.
"I think a lot of our regular customers are coming in, but we have a lot of newcomers saying," Oh, we did not even know you were here. "
She said Black Friday was not busy for Frogs and Lily Pads, but Saturday was it.
"I think every year he grows up and grows up," she said.
Will Notte, director of Phoenix Books, located at 2 Center Street, said the store was experiencing a sharp increase in traffic for Small Business Saturday.
Phoenix Books has several locations in Vermont.
"We saw it last year and even more so this year," Notte said. "For us, it's a day much bigger than Black Friday. The downtown partnership has done a great job promoting the boardwalk and all the activities on offer. We have seen a steady stream of people form the time we open the doors. "
Until now, the best-selling book was "Becoming," a memoir of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
"He's stealing shelves," said Notte.
Several merchants said they noticed people who appeared to have come for the World Cup in nearby Killington. This is the third year of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup organized by Killington Ski Resort and is expected to attract between 35,000 and 40,000 people.
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