Mark Fedde chuckles when he thinks about the first time he stepped into his grandfather’s store on Colorado Boulevard during the ’60s.
“There were certainly a lot more small businesses here in Pasadena then,” Fedde said. “It was such a different time. The challenges today are far more complicated than it was back then.”
However, Fedde Furniture, which opened in 1937, is still in business, led by its third-generation owner. Fedde, 61, has worked at the family business for nearly 40 years.
Fedde Furniture and other Pasadena small businesses do their best to stay afloat. Helping with this is Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30), slated annually for the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This kicks off Shop Local Pasadena, a citywide campaign celebrating its business landscape of over 1,600 retail outlets and more than 700 restaurants
“That’s always a good thing,” Fedde said about Small Business Saturday. “It’s always nice when people are encouraged to visit small businesses. It’s always a good day for us.”
Kristin McGrath, executive director of Visit Pasadena, said in a statement, “Pasadena is a destination for those who value authentic experiences. This holiday season, we encourage visitors and community members to support local entrepreneurs by exploring the independently owned shops and eateries that make Pasadena such a special place.”
Small Business Saturday focuses on the independent shops that make Pasadena “a charming and multicultural destination.” To promote all things Pasadena, shoppers can visit a welcome kiosk at various businesses to pick up a free canvas tote Saturday, Nov. 30. The shopping totes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The small business shops range from the Dog Bakery, which makes freshly baked canine treats, to Sybilline Records, which specializes in vinyl, to The Portrait Space, Pasadena’s first self-portrait studio.
And then there is the array of Pasadena restaurants, such as The Pasadena Sandwich Company and Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery.
“There are so many great small businesses in Pasadena,” Fedde said. “It’s a unique and wonderful community.”
Small Business Saturday is Julia Cowlishaw’s favorite day. She is the chief executive officer of Vroman’s Bookstore.
To further encourage local shopping and dining, Pasadena Transit will allow free rides on Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30. Visitors can access Pasadena’s retail areas, with schedules, maps and real-time arrival information available at pasadenatransit.net.
Small Business Saturday is Julia Cowlishaw’s favorite day. She is the chief executive officer of Vroman’s Bookstore.
“We love focusing on the community and other local businesses to highlight what makes Pasadena special,” Cowlishaw said. “It’s great to be part of a community where we can easily recommend other local businesses to our customers, friends, and out-of-town guests.”
Locals may not know it, but there is a considerable benefit for shopping in their own community.
“Local businesses are important because we return three times more money to the community for every dollar spent than a chain does, not to mention online giants,” Cowlishaw said. “We also utilize other local businesses, donate to schools, non-profits, and community partners. We also have a smaller carbon footprint.”
David Klug, Pasadena’s economic development director, shared the sentiment in a statement.
“Shopping locally is more than just a transaction — it’s an opportunity to experience the creativity and community spirit that make Pasadena unique. By supporting local businesses, shoppers are not only finding one-of-a-kind items but also helping sustain a thriving, diverse business community that’s at the heart of Pasadena.”
Cowlishaw and Fedde have watched the small business takeover make a more significant impact each year in Pasadena. However, the 2024 event will be the first for AMT Vintage owner Meika Franz, who isn’t sure what to expect.
“I’m new to Pasadena so I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m excited about it,” Franz said. “What I do know is that everyone on my block is independent and Holly Street is amazing and I’m so happy that I ended up here on Holly Street. I guess the event will be similar to our Small Business Saturday event at our other store, which is in Jersey City.”
Fedde’s grandparents, Arnold and Ellen Fedde established Fedde Furniture 87 years ago. Vroman’s, which opened in 1894, pre-dates Fedde Furniture, but few small businesses hit triple digits.
“Berg Hardware was here forever,” Fedde said. “But it closed a few years ago (2014) after being around for about 100 years.”
Fedde Furniture will tie Berg Hardware next year as it climbs the longevity ladder. Fedde reveals some secrets to small business success.
“You need to work with good people,” Fedde said. “You have to be true to your brand. You realize quickly that you can’t be everything to everybody, and it takes a lot of hard work to succeed. You also need to offer a quality product. We carry Stickley Furniture and Simply Amish Furniture, which stand the test of time. What’s great about being here is that this community has always been about shopping local.”
Locals and those from out of the area looking for an alternative to chains trek to Pasadena for the small business experience.
“One of the most unique things about Pasadena is the support of local businesses,” Cowlishaw said. “Vroman’s is celebrating our 130th anniversary this year, and we couldn’t do that if our customers and community didn’t believe in shopping local.”
For Rob Poquez of Pasadena’s Bricks & Minifigs — a Lego aftermarket reseller for minifigures, sets, bricks and accessories — Small Business Saturday and the holiday season are vital to his shop.
He said it’s great to work with the city of Pasadena and give the public a reason to visit small businesses. In turn, stores like Poquez’s show why they are uniquely Pasadena-ish.
“We enjoy working with the city of Pasadena to support small, locally owned businesses like ourselves. For us, we are able to show what makes us uniquely Pasadena. We have a rose-shaped brick and our employees wear a patch with that logo.
“We’re putting the Pasadena in Bricks & Minifigs.”
The store is offering a week-long promotion, with discounts on bulk bricks, certified used sets and new sets, and minifigures.
This is the first holiday season — and Small Business Saturday — for Rebecca Crews, who helms her eponymous boutique in Bokaos Salon at 52 Hugus Alley in Old Pasadena. Crews, the wife of actor Terry Crews, specializes in suits and coats. She’s using the day and season as a research tool.
“I’m excited to see what people like and where I get a strong response,” Crews said. “This is my first outlet, other than online. We’re still learning from the public what part of the brand speaks to them.
“I’ve been loaning the clothes through a PR house and suit wear and coats were popular. When they come into the boutique, they love the coats. We’re trying to gather that information to determine which way to we should go in the future.”
For Crews, this is the start of something fabulous.
“My goal is world domination,” she said. “I want to open another store in the next year or two—somewhere in the Midwest or South. By 2030, I want to be worldwide.”
This post was originally published on here
