Merchants see green on Small Business Saturday in Lincoln

 

[November 29, 2022] 

On Saturday, the downtown merchants in Lincoln were all smiles as they enjoyed a busy shopping day during Small Business Saturday. The shops in the heart of the city are all locally owned and operated and depend a great deal on the holiday season for the black ink they need at the end of the year.

This year, many were excited by the large attendance of shoppers who observed Small Business Saturday in Lincoln.







At Small town Creations, Kathie Williams and her helpers were happily, very nearly overwhelmed by the large numbers of shoppers. Guests were shopping for gift items, but also they were stocking up on those special holiday coffee flavors that can be ground while they waited or taken home in bean form for their own coffee grinders.

The shop stayed busy all day long as did the other shops in the 100 block of North Kickapoo.


 

At Debbie’s Downtown Floral, shoppers waited patiently for a turn at the cash register. They were buying a wide variety of items, for home décor to tree trimmings or fresh Christmas themed floral arrangements. Some guest came in to just enjoy the beautiful décor inside the shop and of course, get in the mood of the holiday season with live piano music.



Indigo Quilt shop was also busy during the day as shoppers came in to select materials and patterns for handmade gifts such as quilts or table covers or even cloth toys and stuffed animals.



Guest House Coffee and Pastries was crowded with people in the morning hours as shoppers, already tired for the hustling from store to store took advantage of the popular coffee shop to grab a beverage, perhaps some with a little “octane” and sugar to boost their energy so they could get out there once again.

On Broadway Street, the Copper Penny was a great place to shop for the loved one who loves vintage and antique or rustic or primitive. From cut glass to stoneware, metal and enamelware, antique toys or vintage Christmas décor, shoppers were snatching up items they loved for themselves, or knew that someone else would appreciate finding under the tree on Christmas morning.

Also on Broadway, Mary Todd Hallmark was another very popular stop on Saturday. Shoppers were grabbing up all kinds of items from this years special Hallmark ornament to cards, jewelry, purses, clothing, home décor and oh so much more. The attendants including owner Julie Tarter were as happy as the Christmas Elves when shoppers found exactly what they were hoping for right in the heart of the city and at a small, locally owned business.

Going around the corner onto North Kickapoo Street stops at Sir Renna Tea and Abe’s Carmelcorn Shoppe were required for the shopper looking for special gifts for their loved ones or themselves.

While Sir Renna specializes in tea, the shop offers so much more. Yes, one can buy a variety of loose-leaf teas, can enjoy a freshly made bubble tea made by the gang in the shop, and shop for tea pots, steeping tools and much more. But, the store also offers a tremendous selection of jewelry, decorative glassware, games, puzzles, books, body lotions and self-care products, and clothing. If you didn’t make it to visit Sir Renna Tea on Small Business Saturday, please pay them a visit sometime soon. Owner Eileen Mullins said the store will be open daily from now until Christmas.



On up the street at Abe’s’ there were many shoppers even later in the evening. As the 4 p.m. hour passed, owner Helen Rainforth and her staff were still busy helping shoppers find exactly what they were looking for. One you lady was heard to say that if she were just a little younger she would be in “duck heaven” just looking at all the stuffed toys in the shop. In the meantime, the candy was holding a lot of appeal for her, and the popcorn was tantalizing as well.

Earlier in the day, a great place to take a break and let the kids have a special treat was the Lincoln Arts Institute. All the art in the gallery is for sale this season and ready for buyers to take home and wrap up for a special someone to find on Christmas morning under the tree.

While the grown up had the chance to just sit a spell or do some shopping, crafts were being offered for the youngsters as well as face painting and in the second-floor gallery a photo op was being offered with a Christmas in Candyland backdrop.

Small business Saturday is the beginning of the holiday Shopping season in Lincoln. Throughout the first portion of December, shoppers will be getting on the Holiday Express when they shop local. As such, each time they make a purchase at a participating business, they will get their ticket stamped. When they have stamps from ten stores, they may enter a drawing for some fabulous gifts. The downtown merchants join t9ogether and provide gift cards, merchandise, and various other gifts to be put into gift baskets. On Monday, December 19th three names will be drawn from the collection and those lucky winners will receive one of those three great gift baskets.

So, if you missed Small Business Saturday, you have not missed out yet. Please be sure to come to the heart of the city and shop local, in the end, it could be the best gift you give to our local merchants, and it could make for a very nice gift for yourself as well if you are the winner of one of those baskets!

[Nila Smith]