Employees of Construction Clearance spent part of the day Monday preparing the Lansford store for one of the biggest shopping times of the year.

Like other local businesses, Construction Clearance will have a special sale on Small Business Saturday.

“We have a lot going on. We’re doing Black Friday and Small Business Saturday,” employee Ashley Heatter explained.

The store will have 50% off all retail prices on goods ranging from construction materials to decorations to toys and furniture, and will have giveaways and raffles.

“We have lots of gift giving ideas. We’re the perfect one-stop shop. We have something for everyone,” Heatter said.

Boost for economy

The U.S. Small Business Association is encouraging people to “Shop Small” at some of the country’s 33 million small businesses through the holiday season and on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 26).

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman – along with heads of local chambers of commerce – said “shopping small” helps boost the economy and enhances neighborhoods.

At the Perla Building, 105 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, a Christkindl Market featuring a number of small businesses will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

“We actually worked on this with the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce,” said Lance Williams, marketing and communication specialist with The Perla Building and C.A.R.E.S. “We planned this Christkindl Market that would provide small businesses, vendors and independent consultants with an indoor venue to bring their products to a one-stop shop for residents of Tamaqua and surrounding communities.”

In doing so, he said, folks would not only be able to shop there but would be more inclined to visit other small businesses and restaurants in the area.

The Small Business Saturday event will have close to 30 vendors.

“The market is going to feature arts and crafts, jewelry, home décor, candles, soaps, fresh Christmas wreaths, holiday gifts, ornaments, woodwork, crystals, hair accessories, stickers and decals,” Williams said. “And there’s a lot more than that.”

The Perla Building hopes to make it an annual affair.

“It is an event that you won’t want to miss. It will help you get that holiday shopping done even before the month of December hits. You can save that time for your cooking and fun festivities,” Williams noted.

Aimee Dotson, the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce’s office and outreach administrator, will be at the Christkindl Market to encourage shoppers to stop by the other community businesses.

“There will be a list of businesses that are open and offering specials on Small Business Saturday,” Dotson said. “So people can come to the market, do some shopping there and then visit other shops.”

Dotson will also have information on the Chamber’s walking tour. People can scan a QR code with their smartphones and then follow directions to shops and restaurants.

“When you shop local, your money stays local,” she said. “You’re keeping people in jobs and you’re keeping clothes on the backs of your friends’ children. Your money goes so much further.”

Mom-and-pop stores

Michael Rivkin, president of the Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, said many member businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday.

“They are mom-and-pop or independent stores. There are no chain stores and no big companies,” he said. “So when you are supporting a small shop in Jim Thorpe or any of our neighboring towns, you are supporting your local economy and your local communities.”

Rivkin said folks can often find unique treasures at small shops. He cited a few, including Jingle Bells, a place that sells traditional ornaments from Germany, Poland and Czechoslovakia and Mabacol, which offers handmade shoes and bags.

He also enjoys the balsamic and other flavored oils from the Jim Thorpe Olive Oil Company, and frequently visits Somersault Letterpress, which uses vintage letterpresses for its prints and designs.

“It is kind of like an old Irish pub town where you can sort of do some shopping and then pop into a pub to warm up,” Rivkin noted.

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is releasing a holiday gift guide with members and the services they’re promoting for the holiday season. It also continues to promote the “Let’s Keep the Cheer Here” group on Facebook so folks can see where to shop locally, explained Samantha Chivinski, the Chamber’s member relations director.

“When you buy locally, the small business you’re making your purchase from certainly benefits, but the benefits keep growing. A small business that does well is likely to hire more people, who then spend more money in the community,” Chivinski noted.

Lehighton will also celebrate Small Business Saturday. “For small business owners, their business is not just a business, it’s an extension of who they are. Supporting the local businesses in your community not only keeps those businesses alive, but keeps the local towns they serve thriving,” Bambi Elsasser, Lehighton Main Street manager, said. “This year, consider shopping at your local bakery, restaurant, coffee shop, boutique, gift shop, hardware store, travel agency, or any local business and service rather than shopping at a national chain. Shopping local matters because it affects the entire community.”

She noted that for every dollar spent, 67 cents stays within your local economy.

“Small businesses are also often the organizations that support local sports teams, charities, schools and events,” she said. “So as we move into the holiday season, please remember how important it is to take the time and shop at all of our small businesses. More than likely you will find some great deals, and even if something is a tad bit more expensive, you will receive personal attention, and support that business so they can support our communities.”