TULSA, Ok. -- Local businesses in Tulsa are gearing up for Small Business Saturday.
Makenzie Danley stopped by Ida Red on Peoria in Brookside. She said, “There’s a lot of strange candies. There’s a lot of strange little things that you find here that you can’t find anywhere else. There’s a lot of cool gifts and stocking stuffers.”
Ida Red owner Angelene Wright said, “We’re all about fun and family and we have a little bit for everybody. We’ve got fun candy, soda, a lot of Oklahoma goods, a lot of things that are made locally in town.”
Although Wright attributes the small business’s success to the unique merchandise, she says running the business is still difficult.
Wright said, “I think everybody probably knows somebody that has some kind of small business, and it’s just not easy. So, every purchase you make in a small business really helps. It really contributes to the community.”
That’s why Small Business Saturday is a big deal for shops like Ida Red. Wright added, “We usually see more people on Small Business Saturday. We hope we do.”
It’s something Danley appreciates.
Danely said, “I think that it’s really important to just support Tulsa economy and the small towns around tulsa and everything that really makes up who we are. The small businesses are such an important part of that because they really are such an important way to show Tulsa and people who visit Tulsa who we are.”
Even people from overseas see the value in shopping local.
Gage Blain, visiting from France, said, “It helps because if everyone buys stuff that was made in other countries, the country itself cannot rise economically.”
Wright says the key to a successful Small Business Saturday is just to have fun. She said, “The advice I would give probably is to be kind and patient. And have fun. Don’t take it too seriously.”
It’s an effort to make sure that shoppers and shop owners alike can thrive on Small Business Saturday.
The shop owner said, “It’s the day that the community really embraces all the local businesses. As a store owner, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and happy.”
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
