Local businesses prepare for Small Business Saturday

JACKSON, Tenn. — People nationwide hit the malls and big box stores for Black Friday, but the day after is all about shopping small.

The day after Black Friday is known to many as Small Business Saturday.

While big box stores drew shoppers out on Black Friday, small business owners celebrated their big day Saturday.

General manager at Buff City Soap in Thomsen Farms, Elizabeth Marks, explains how Small Business Saturday helps out the business.

“So it brings people from the community and supports local business here,” Marks said.

Marks says there was a lot of foot traffic.

“It has been great this morning,” Marks said.

Machelle Griffin, an employee at The Corner Boutique, says small businesses give back to the community, and providing the best customer service is their number one priority.

“To give back to the community with a small business. Small businesses helps the community by being a family-friendly shop and bringing money back into the community and having a family-friendly atmosphere for you to come in to and enjoy shopping,” Griffin said.

Bobby Coffman, the vice president of Jackson’s small business Coffman’s Home Furnishings, says the store opened its doors in 1982.

“Small businesses are really the backbone of Jackson and Madison County, and it’s very important to our area, and we like to support our area. Jackson is a growing area. We have more and more small businesses that are coming to Jackson, and we are just pleased to be a part of that,” Coffman said.

Created by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday serves as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses across the U.S.