If you search the internet for quotes about small businesses, you’ll find a ton of results. You’ll find results that tell you supporting a small business is supporting someone’s dreams. Some quotes say every time a purchase is made in a small business, the owner does a happy dance! Then, you’ll find quotes and information from business resources that tell you the importance of small businesses to the local community. With dollars spent in a small, locally owned business many of those dollars go directly back into the local community through purchases made in the town or donations made to local little league teams and community projects. Maybe it’s time we rethink our shopping habits!
Small Business Saturday
In Williamson, the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce is ready to support Small Business Saturday on November 30th! To involve more of the community and bring a variety of shopping opportunities to town, the TVCC is hosting the SBS Christmas Market. Collaborating with other chamber businesses, the group will be offering various shopping events and fun activities throughout the day.
“We want to continue supporting our small businesses, both those with a store-front and those that do not have a brick a mortar shop. We have members that are authors, photographers, artisans, bakers, and much more. We want to include them to support their businesses while offering unique items and a fun day of shopping to the community,” says Chris Dotson, President of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The Shopping
The TVCC Christmas Market will be open on Saturday, November 30th, from 11 a.m - 4 p.m. in the Williamson Farmers Market Lot on 3rd Avenue in Williamson. As chamber members, Williamson Health and Wellness Center and the Williamson Farmers Market Lot offered the summer market lot as a vendor location. Currently, over 20 vendors are registered to bring their items to the market. Some of the items to be offered include boutique style clothing and jewelry, beautiful handcrafted wooden bowls, wine bottle stoppers, and cutting boards, crocheted items, including dolls, gloves, and hats, handmade knives and fishing lures, and the list goes on and on! Of course, fresh-baked foods, treats, canned goods, and honey will be available too.
Another delicious find at the market will be Walker Family Farms’ apple butter. Chamber member David Walker will be on-site early to demonstrate apple butter making and fill the air with that delicious smell!
Hall Sound Company will be set up, keeping everyone in the Christmas spirit by playing all the best Christmas songs during the day.
The Photography & Book Exhibit
The Chamber is also featuring a local authors book signing and photography exhibit in the lobby of the Historic Mountaineer Hotel located on 2ndAvenue in Williamson. According to Dotson, the chamber is fortunate to have talented photographers and authors as chamber members that are ready to participate in this exhibit.
For those looking for gifts for those that love to read or enjoy beautiful photography, this exhibit is a must. Local authors Bruce Justice, Kyle Lovern, and Leigh Ann Ray will be on hand to sign copies of their books. Photographers Randall Sanger and Wes Wilson will have their amazing work on display for purchase as well.
The Activities
It’s not all shopping on Small Business Saturday. Chamber member, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is hosting a scavenger hunt! Those interested in participating in the hunt can find the scavenger clues sheet at the Coal House.
For the kids, the Williamson Rotary Club will have a Letters to Santa Writing table in the market. Children will be able to drop their letters into Santa’s mailbox at the Coal House.
Another great children’s activity will be an arts table at the market from 12 p.m.-2 pm.. hosted by the I Can 2 program.
According to the TVCC, there are lots of fun things to do in Williamson that day, not just limited to the market.
“Our local shops will be open to greet customers for their Christmas shopping. Restaurants downtown will be ready to keep everyone well fed. The Coal House will be open to visitors and to those wanting to purchase other local products. It’ll be a great day to come to town and enjoy the day with friends and family,” says Dotson.
Shop Small. Support Local.
On this Small Business Saturday, remember to shop small and support your local shops, restaurants, artists, and crafters. Shopping small might require some creative shopping ideas, like maybe a food gift basket, but when you buy handcrafted products, you’re guaranteed to have a one of a kind gifts under the Christmas tree.
If you’re looking for more information, we’ve attached some helpful links below!
TVCC Christmas Market Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/3216477101700755/
TVCC Photography & Author Exhibit Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/678662679310754/
TVCC Chamber Member Directory: https://tugvalleychamber.com/business-directory
Small Business Saturday: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/
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