Shop Small Business Saturday in Downtown Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Fifteen local small businesses in downtown Augusta are a part of the event with Downtown Soul City.

The event starts at Augusta & Co. at 10 a.m., where the first 150 people get a free tote bag. When shopping at one of these stores, you are entered into a raffle to win one of three prizes. After Helene this gives the business a chance to catch up.

“A lot of small businesses right now are facing real challenges because, you know, there was a lag there,” said David Hutchison, the Co-owner of Book Tavern. “But I know that a lot of the small businesses I know right now are really counting on this holiday season to kind of pick up that slack and make it so that, you know, they go into the new year strong.”

The owner of Field Botanicals says it has been a slow year even before the Hurricane and hopes this will inspire more people to shop locally 

“We just want the community to support small businesses. Especially this time of the year, especially this year, because it’s been really slow for retail and downtown overall the whole year. So, this is a way to show your support,” said Jennifer Tinsley, the Owner of Field Botanicals.

Another business owner says that not only does shopping locally help the economy in Augusta, but it also brings the community together.

“Everything from better tax revenue to better employment for people, but I think the other thing, the real reason that maybe it’s important to shop small, is because you get to know people, and they get to know you, and that produces better outcomes, I think, for people in their lives,” said Hutchison.

Not only will you have the opportunity to shop from local stores, but there will be many pop-up vendors from the Augusta handmade fair since that was canceled due to Helene having handcrafted goods starting Saturday and continuing through the holidays.

“It’s important to shop local, you know, to help out the local economy and keep cool, fun local businesses alive,” said Evan Grantski, the Owner of Grantski Records.

You can find more information on the event on the Downtown Soul City Website.