Whether it’s Santa for the kids, a treat for yourself or a unique present for that someone special, York businesses are ready to please on Small Business Saturday.
The national event with the hometown flavor will be one week from today on Nov. 30.
The York Chamber of Commerce will serve hot chocolate at 9 a.m. outside its office at 603 N. Lincoln Ave. Chamber staff have been busy assembling thank-you bags for shoppers with gift cards and certificates donated by local businesses.
Wagner Decorating
“It’s our single busiest day of the year,” Bruce Wagner said of the walk-in traffic at Wagner Decorating and Isaiah’s Toy Box, 619 N. Lincoln Ave.
Signs of the season — and toys — surround owner Bruce Wagner at Wagner Decorating and Isaiah’s Toy Box in York. The business is almost 50 years old.
The business sells custom blinds, shades, shutters, draperies and — you guessed it — toys.
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“We carry lots of Melissa & Doug,” Wagner said of a well-known line of developmental and educational toys. “We’re the largest selection in Nebraska, for sure.”
The store also carries Bruder, a line of toy trucks that stand up to a lot of play.
“It has a big following,” Wagner said.
The loft at Wagner Decorating and Isaiah’s Toy Box is full of toys waiting to go under someone’s tree. The store has the widest selection of Melissa & Doug toys in Nebraska.
On Small Business Saturday, the store will have soft-serve ice cream, cider, cookies and, from 10 a.m. to noon, Santa Claus.
Wagner Decorating, which will be 50 years old in January, was founded by Bruce’s parents, David and Ann. His mother, now 90, still works in the store.
Bruce said Wagner’s has supported Small Business Saturday since its inception in 2010.
He loves seeing local customers come through the door, knowing they chose his store and not Amazon.
“It’s when people come in and say, ‘I am supporting you,’” he said. “It kind of remotivates you.”
For Emory Conrad, it’s all about family — and, of course, popcorn.
GoodyPop, 113 E. Sixth St., has been in business since 2019, but Conrad bought it in May — just a week after graduating from York High School.
“I worked here all through high school,” she said. “I wanted to go into entrepreneurship, so here I am.”
GoodyPop owner Emory Conrad and her grandfather Steve Reinke serve a customer in the gourmet popcorn shop in downtown York.
GoodyPop sells locally sourced gourmet popcorn with up to 200 flavors.
“That’s what makes us unique,” Conrad said.
Customers can choose from varieties such as bacon and cheese, ranch, cinnamon roll, gingerbread, hot chocolate, peppermint and puppy chow. “That’s probably our biggest seller.”
Puppy chow is the biggest seller of the hundreds of flavors of gourmet popcorn at GoodyPop in downtown York. The shop will offer samples of new flavors on Small Business Saturday.
Many of the flavors are holdovers from the previous owners, and others are “family ideas,” Conrad said. She has help in the business from her large family, including her grandfather Steve Reinke.
“How could you refuse a granddaughter who wants you to pop popcorn?” he said. He’s also responsible for much of the woodwork in the shop.
GoodyPop owner Emory Conrad and her grandfather Steve Reinke serve a customer in the gourmet popcorn shop in downtown York.
On Small Business Saturday, they’ll offer a special discount, a drawing for a Christmas gift box and samples of new flavors.
Conrad likes the event because of the family aspect of it. When she was growing up, her family would always patronize local stores the weekend after Thanksgiving.
“On Saturday, we’d go to all the small businesses in the towns surrounding,” Conrad said. “It’s an opportunity to serve the community in a different, fun way.”
Mack’s Golden Grounds
Another York business participating in Small Business Saturday has a new owner and a new name.
Katelin Rood took over Captain Redbeard’s coffee shop at 600 N. Grant Ave. in July and rebranded as Mack’s Golden Grounds on Sept. 1. She’s looking forward to the traffic Small Business Saturday will bring downtown.
“We’re excited for that,” Rood said.
Baristo Peyton Albers prepares a decaf latte for a customer at Mack’s Golden Grounds in York. The business’s team is excited for the traffic Small Business Saturday will bring downtown.
Mack’s will offer shoppers a chance to take a break with a warm beverage.
“Or even just take it with them,” she said.
Mack’s Golden Grounds will also have Christmas cake pucks, similar to cake pops, made by one of the coffee shop’s employees.
In addition to coffee — by the cup or the bag — Mack’s Golden Grounds will have Christmas cake pucks on Small Business Saturday.
“Any kind of support for a local business does wonders,” Rood said when asked about the importance of Small Business Saturday. “Think of who you’re supporting.”
Kirtsey’s Clothing
Kirtsey’s Clothing and Gift Boutique has been in business since 2017 but has only been at 723 N. Lincoln Ave. since July 31.
“We’re excited for this new location,” owner Kirby Crawford said. It offers more space for clothing and gift items and better visibility in a beautiful new environment.
Kirtsey’s Clothing and Gift Boutique in downtown York is well-stocked and decorated for the holidays.
“We’ll have some sales going on for Small Business Saturday,” she said. “We try to bring in different brands for all ages and price points.”
The quality of the merchandise and customer service sets Kirtsey’s apart, Crawford said. “We have great people who work here.”
When asked about the message of Small Business Saturday, she said, “Support the small businesses that support your kids, that support community events.”
Pillowy presents add to the holiday atmosphere at Kirtsey’s Clothing and Gift Boutique in downtown York. The business’s new location offers more room for gifts for Small Business Saturday.
And be sure to drop by when you’re in town visiting family over the holidays.
“We love seeing people that we haven’t seen for a while,” Crawford said.
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