Shoppers eager to support Small Business Saturday

You don’t need to travel far in Downtown Klamath Falls to find a locally-owned store or restaurant.

While large companies certainly have left their footprint on the town, small businesses remain a strong part of the local economy, and were celebrated over the weekend during Small Business Saturday.

“You get the personal touch when you shop small business,” said Jackie Bonner, of The Oregon Gift Store.

A part-time worker, Bonner said her shop saw multiple customers come in during the weekend specifically to celebrate Small Business Saturday, which celebrates alternatives to shopping at big box stores during the start of the winter shopping season.

Bonner said residents in Klamath Falls are already keen to support their local businesses, but it is still nice to have a day of the year dedicated to mom-and-pop shops.

“It’s nice to have a special day to remind people,” she said.

Up the road, at Periwinkle Resale Stores, Sales Associate Joy Hirenger said she sees support for small businesses as a way to keep a city’s economic center growing, and Small Business Saturday helps draw consumers’ focus back to local shops.

“I think it makes it so that our downtown is a place people can be drawn to at other times,” she said.

She added she believes Small Business Saturday is becoming more popular and wide-spread through interactions on social media.

Also with Periwinkle, and a member of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, was Joyce Jordan, who said she sees the city’s economic prospects strengthen as shoppers support local stores.

“I think it’s beginning to strengthen and I think it’s getting better,” she said of the local economy.

Jordan said shopping at area businesses — rather than larger, corporate stores — helps keep the community strong by keeping local resources local.

“Buy in the community and it goes back to the community,” she said.

You don’t need to travel far in Downtown Klamath Falls to find a locally-owned store of restaurant.

While large companies certainly have left their footprint on the town, small businesses remain a strong part of the local economy, and were celebrated over the weekend during Small Business Saturday.

“You get the personal touch when you shop small business,” said Jackie Bonner, of The Oregon Gift Store.

A part-time worker, Bonner said her shop saw multiple customers come in during the weekend specifically to celebrate Small Business Saturday, which celebrates alternatives to shopping at big box stores during the start of the winter shopping season.

Bonner said residents in Klamath Falls are already keen to support their local businesses, but it is still nice to have a day of the year dedicated to mom-and-pop shops.

“It’s nice to have a special day to remind people,” she said.

Up the road, at Periwinkle Resale Stores, Sales Associate Joy Hirenger said she sees support for small businesses as a way to keep a city’s economic center growing, and Small Business Saturday helps draw consumers’ focus back to local shops.

“I think it makes it so that our downtown is a place people can be drawn to at other times,” she said.

She added she believes Small Business Saturday is becoming more popular and wide-spread through interactions on social media.

Also with Periwinkle, and a member of the Klamath County Chamber of Commerce, was Joyce Jordan, who said she sees the city’s economic prospects strengthen as shoppers support local stores.

“I think it’s beginning to strengthen and I think it’s getting better,” she said of the local economy.

Jordan said shopping at area businesses rather than larger, corporate stores helps keep the community strong by keeping local resources local.

“Buy in the community and it goes back to the community,” she said.