PADUCAH—During the holiday season, small businesses in Paducah hope that more customers will discover their shops and choose to shop locally.
Bobby Wheeler owns Game Galaxy, located at 2928 Park Ave Suite C in Paducah. The shop sells video games, consoles, movies, and more. He opened his shop over the summer and said the hardest part has been getting his business’s name out there.
Game Galaxy opened this year and is working to build its customer base. Photo taken in Paducah on Nov. 29, 2024.
However, with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, Wheeler is hopeful the public will come in and shop.
“I mean, you’re going to support a small business, and I mean, it’s going to go back into the community,” said Wheeler.
Game Galaxy sells movies, games, consoles, and several other items. Photo taken in Paducah on Nov. 29, 2024.
Not only does shopping locally help shops like his, but Wheeler said that, in some cases, it can be less expensive than shopping at a big box store.
“Stuff’s cheaper, more affordable, and, I mean, you know what you’re getting… coming here, I mean, you’re going to have it in hand and, I mean, you don’t have to worry about shipping and waiting and making sure it works then. I mean, we can test it here,” said Wheeler.
Kathy Musser and Andrea Atnip co-own Messy Cat Creations, located at 119 S 3rd Street, Paducah.
They opened their business nearly a year and a half ago. Musser said their location can make it difficult for customers to find them.
Messy Cat Creations sells hand-made items such as earrings, stickers, scarves and more. Photo taken in Paducah on Nov. 29, 2024.
With Small Business Saturday and other holidays approaching, Musser hopes more people will come in and shop.
“Small businesses live or die by the holidays, and it’s the busiest time of year, and if you shop at a small business, you might help keep that business open for another year,” said Musser. “If you shop with us once, you help us pay rent. You help us pay overhead. You help us pay for materials to make more art, and it’s the same for every small business. Every sale counts.”
Musser said it’s also essential for small businesses to support each other.
Messy Cat Creations co-owner Kathy Musser said the store’s location makes it difficult to attract customers at times. Photo taken in Paducah on Nov. 29, 2024.
“When we support each other, we all win. If we can get one person in our door and then send them to everybody else, they will tell friends. They might not tell friends about our store, but they might tell friends about the other store, and then if they send those people in to see us, then we all win,” said Musser.
Both stores said they are planning to offer discounts on their online sales. Game Galaxy sells via eBay and Messy Cat Creations through its Etsy account.
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