Westmoreland County shop owners have high hopes for Small Business Saturday

Tracy Alaia has seen firsthand the kindness expressed to small businesses during the covid-19 pandemic.

As owner of Feathers Artist Market and Gifts in Irwin, Alaia predicts that kindness to continue during this weekend’s Small Business Saturday, when crowds are expected at locally owned shops to kick off holiday shopping. Nationwide, about 80% of consumers said they would likely shop small this year, an American Express survey found.

“People really cared for each other through things,” Alaia said. “And I think it’s continuing even though sometimes you only hear the bad, I’ve seen a lot of the good.”

Throughout the pandemic, small businesses struggled as stores were forced to close and additional money was spent to implement safety measures.

After nearly two years, businesses are still reeling from the pandemic as they work to rebound while also combating supply chain issues that have emptied shelves across the country. This year, 56% of business said Small Business Saturday is more critical than ever, with 78% of holiday sales impacting their ability to stay open in 2022, the survey found.

In Westmoreland County, businesses hoping to buck national trends have been preparing for the holiday season, leaving small shops stocked with owners anxiously awaiting crowds. Last year, people spent almost $20 billion nationwide on Christmas, the U.S. Small Business Administration reported.

“I’ve always had a wonderful crowd and even last year with everything going on it was a nice crowd so I think people are just excited to be able to be out and about,” Alaia said. “People have been so supportive of small businesses. … They’ve even changed their gift giving.”

Alaia said there was a delay in shipping from a handful of companies. She noted that small businesses and companies based in the United States tended to ship items faster than larger, foreign companies. For the most part, Alaia said, this year has been on track with previous years in terms of preparations.

In Greensburg, Mary Wilmes, owner of Penelope’s Gifts and More, said that because of the supply chain issues she started planning for the holidays earlier this year. Similar to Alaia, Wilmes said there were a few companies that did not fulfill orders. Still, Penelope’s is stocked and ready for Small Business Saturday.

“I have a store full of stuff, so I think if anybody comes in they’ll find something for sure,” Wilmes said.

She added that she is expecting a large crowd like in previous years.

“I think people feel comfortable because even at the busiest time it’s never like shopping at a big box store,” she said. “I think the feeling we try to give people like welcoming them into our homes makes people feel real good about it. It’s a win-win.”

That feeling of excitement is echoed by businesses across Greensburg, said Ashley Kertes, executive director of the Greensburg Community Development Corp. Similar to Wilmes, Kertes noted that small businesses offer a small town, friendly atmosphere with unique products and services.

Several events have already drawn crowds to downtown Greensburg, leaving shop owners hopeful that will carry over to Small Business Saturday.

“Even during the holiday season last year at the height of the pandemic, businesses expressed how well they did on Small Business Saturday,” Kertes said. “Some even said they had their highest sales ever. … I think that can be attributed to people realizing more than ever the importance of shopping small and supporting the Greensburg business community.”

She noted that some businesses expressed supply chain issues, the majority of which have come from restaurants.

Lisa Smartnick, membership coordinator at the Norwin Chamber of Commerce, reported similar supply chain issues in Irwin.

The chamber is promoting Small Business Saturday to help draw a large crowd.

Stephany Frede, owner of The Black Bunny Boutique in Ligonier, said the season so far has been business as usual.

“We always have a really big crowd beginning Black Friday and then it continues into Small Business Saturday,” Frede said.

The only supply chain issues felt at the store were for boxes and bags, she said. Several of her vendors are U.S. based, something Frede said helped combat additional problems.

“There’s an upbeat spirit that people are ready to shop, that they’re ready to get back into businesses,” said Amy Beeghly, president of the Greensburg Business and Professional Association. “We like to promote think local, love local and I think that the general public is embracing that.”