‘This is the beginning of our Super Bowl.’ Lehigh Valley merchants busy on Small Business Saturday
It was sunny and around 40 degrees with no breeze in downtown Bethlehem — a perfect day to check out the merchants along Main Street for Small Business Saturday.
For Chris and Heather Bellis of East Allen Township, it was an opportunity to catch up with the rest of their family during the long weekend. After lunch at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar there was time for them to browse at the Moravian Bookstore and visit the Christmas huts featuring pop-up merchants.
The concept of Small Business Saturday is in tune with shoppers such as the Bellis family.
“Give me a mom-and-pop business any day,” said Chris Bellis.
“Some of the things may be a little more expensive,” added Heather Bellis, “but that’s OK. We’re good with that. If we were looking for something cheap, we’d go to Walmart.”
“When we go out of town sometimes, you’ve got to find the mom-and-pop small,” Chris said. “A restaurant, not a chain restaurant. When we go out of state, we can’t eat what’s (back home). When we go somewhere, we’ve got to venture out and find the local dives.”
From Emmaus to Easton, small businesses across the Lehigh Valley opened their doors with help from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to help attract customers looking for that unique holiday gift, and perhaps entice them to come back another time. Merchants will normally do something above and beyond by offering such things as discounts, raffles, refreshments and entertainment.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011, Small Business Saturday has become an important part of small merchants’ busiest shopping season.
“This is the beginning of our Super Bowl,” said Lisa DiDonato, store manager of Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom in Bethlehem.
Historically, reported projected spending among consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $17.9 billion according to the 2022 Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey commissioned by American Express.
According to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp., about 84% of the business establishments in the Lehigh Valley have fewer than 20 employees. About 51% have fewer than five.
“As you know, brick-and-mortar retail shops have been having a tough time the past 10 years,” said Sarah Yost, from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, who helped coordinate Small Business Saturday in Emmaus. “We really value their presence in Emmaus. I think it’s really important to a lot of people that live here to keep their money local because they live here.
“It’s a great little town. There’s so many great little events, but we love to see our community members come out and support the owners of the shops. That really makes it something special.”
Christmas shopping in Christmas City
The inside of Seasons was busy Saturday afternoon as shoppers sampled various flavors of olive oil and vinegar, and other seasonings, such as honey and mustard.
“It’s been a good and steady flow of people,” said DiDonato, who said proceeds from Small Business Saturday sales are going toward the Friends of Bethlehem Mounted Police.
Down the street, The Shoppe at Historic Hotel Bethlehem had plenty of holiday themed items for sale, including limited edition peppermint bark tins and the hotel’s annual ornament that was hand painted in Austria.
The boutique that doubles as the hotel’s gift shop, had a steady flow of customers looking over items ranging from women’s clothing to Christmas decorations.
“It’s been nonstop,” said store manager Linda Fiegel. “It’s every day through the season. We’re a hot spot.”
The huts were drawing small crowds and were selling items including holiday decorations, fashion for pets, beef jerky and jewelry.
Santa Claus also set up shop near the huts and was available for free photos.
Excitement in Emmaus
Yost said between 25 and 30 businesses were taking part in Emmaus’ Small Business Saturday. This year, the Chamber and Emmaus Main Street Partners got the word out early about the event via social media and the internet. In the past, shoppers could get information by showing up Saturday morning at Triangle Park to receive literature about events and specials.
“All of our shops are kind of taking a different approach to Small Business Saturday,” Yost said. “With the Chamber we’ve really focused our efforts on a marketing initiative. So we’re trying to give all these small businesses one platform to announce all their deals. That way, customers can go to one page and see everything that everyone has going on.”
Swag bags were available at Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Partners, which was also accepting food donations for the Emmaus Rotary Club as well as teen hygiene items and gift cards for The Kindness Project.
Yost said Kleckner & Sons Appliances were hosting a raffle to win a $300 mixer, while The Purr Haus Boutique was offering pet photos with Santa.
“Everybody’s doing something a little bit different but it’s all in one place,” Yost said.
Morning Call reporter Evan Jones can be reached at [email protected].
