The holiday season is one of the most important times for businesses and consumers, thanks to cheaper deals and increased consumption. But it means a lot more to small business owners who depend on holiday sales to make a living.
Holiday spending is expected to increase by 2.5% to 3.5% compared to last year, according to the National Retail Foundation.
Beyond turkey and family gatherings, people also can look forward to the weekend for Black Friday deals and, more recently, Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express to convince more consumers to spend their money at local, independent businesses instead of global conglomerates like Amazon. In 2011, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution supporting the now annual holiday tradition celebrated by all 50 states since 2012.
American Express reported that consumer spending at independent retailers and restaurants during Small Business Saturday reached around $17 billion in 2023. Since 2010, consumers spent an estimated $201 billion.
Here are some small businesses — as defined by the Small Business Administration — in and around Salem where shoppers can spend money.
Escape Fiction
Where: 3240 Triangle Drive SE, Salem, OR 97302
Escape Fiction, a full-service bookstore opened on Oct. 1, 1994, inspired by Scott Conover’s love for sci-fi, fantasy and J.R.R Tolkien. The store sells new and used books and box sets of “every kind of book you can imagine.” His most popular books are manga — Japanese comic books.
Although Conover doesn’t specifically offer Black Friday or Small Business Saturday deals, his store still has plenty of discounts on those dates. All new hardcovers are 15% off, and books and sets from $24.95 to $99.95 range from 15% to 25% off. A Sarah Moss box set is 45% off. Other discounts include deals for teachers, institutions and Battle of the Books titles. People can even donate their books for store credit.
There is no online store, but people can order books by emailing Conover or sending a message on Facebook.
Conover considers Escape Fiction his life and said he planned to continue to run it until he can’t.
Wesbite:http://escapefiction.qwestoffice.net.
Hours:
- Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. but closed on some holidays.
Focal Point Photography
Where: 161 W Ellendale Ave., Dallas, OR 97338
Focal Point Photography has been around for 41 years, but photography hobbyist Nate Woods took over in 2019 when the owner retired. Woods had been an employee for eight years and a wedding photographer on the side before buying the store.
This weekend, FPP will offer all used gear and accessories — bags, tripods and filters — at 10% off. They will also honor any deals camera manufacturers are having. On Friday and Saturday, the store will be hosting raffles and prizes for first-come, first-serve customers.
Store credit is available for people who want to trade in their old gear or cameras, and online shopping is available.
Woods said FPP is his livelihood. With a lot of support from the community and even tourists, he said a lot of customers have become “pretty good friends.”
Wesbite:https://shop.focalpointphoto.com.
Hours:
- Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday
Apples to Oranges
Where: 204 E Main St., Silverton, Oregon 97381
Laurie Carter, a former Silverton councilwoman, became a business owner 11 years ago when she opened Apples to Oranges. She was inspired by a desire to stimulate the downtown area after businesses were closing down.
Apples to Oranges is a craft store that sells products like children’s toys, journals, yarn and tea. People who sign up for the shop’s newsletter will have a 20% discount through Dec. 5. Carter said the yarn and tea were her most popular products.
Online shopping is available as well as in-person.
Carter says she thinks she could run the store for another 10 years because it keeps her active and energetic. She owes her life to the craft store after keeping her from being a “basket case” after her husband died two years ago. Seeing empty buildings around Silverton also motivates her to keep going.
Wesbite:https://applestooranges.net/products/plymouth-encore-worsted.
Hours:
- Open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
- Carter said she might stay open a little later on Friday and Saturday.
The Thrift Store
Where: 3840 River Road N, Keizer, OR 97303
The Thrift Store was opened in 2018 by Todd Peters, an Amity native who worked in the thrift supply chain and wanted to give the community an option to recycle their clothing and provide an alternative to large nonprofits like Goodwill.
The store sells products and accepts donations ranging from home decor, jewelry, clothes, electronics and more. Any donations that can’t be accepted are sent to Union Gospel Mission or Big Brother Big Sister foundations. This weekend, black-and-white tags will be 25% off on Friday, while orange tags will be 75% off on Saturday. The veterans discount is 10% off, and seniors — 55 years and older — have 10% off purchases on Tuesdays.
Shopping must be done in person.
Wesbite: https://www.facebook.com/thethriftstorekeizer.
Hours:
- Open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bricks & Beyond
Where: 5095 River Road N, Keizer, OR 97303
Austin King worked in retail for seven years before opening Bricks & Beyond in 2021. A longtime toy collector, he had always dreamed of owning his own store and, thanks to the encouragement from his father and grandfather, he finally does.
Bricks & Beyond is a toy store that sells new and used products. They sell legos, action figures, posters, Hot Wheels and more. Donations can be exchanged for in-store credit. During the weekend items will be discounted by 10% to 50%, and freebies will be given out on Friday. Veterans can get 10% off products, and there might be discounts available in the future for students and teachers.
Star Wars products are the most popular, said King. Shopping can only be done in person.
Bricks & Beyond is an outlet for King to express his creativity, from graphic design to marketing. It’s also a great way for him to connect with people who share the same interests or people who are looking for new hobbies.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/p/Bricks-Beyond-Oregon-100078264201014/.
Hours:
- Open on Black Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Open Monday and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
- Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
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