Shopping in Fallon on Saturday

Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for consumers to support the businesses that make up the foundation of their community, and for businesses to offer appreciation deals to their customers.

Small Business Saturday is also the dedicated national day supporting the local, small businesses by driving sales up during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. American Express founded this day in 2010.

“We have 150 local businesses that participate in Live Local Fallon,” said Rick Gray, executive director of Fallon Convention and Tourism Authority. “And they all have agreed to up the ante for residents shopping in town for Small Business Saturday by adding more stamps when they use their passports and shop locally.”

Gray said with the passports used for Live Local Fallon, he has noticed residents shopping at various businesses in town.

“Individuals who turn in their passports have a very diverse set of stamps on their pages,” he added.

The major goal is to keep shoppers in Fallon.

“We really want to drive residents to shop at the businesses in town,” said Natalie Parrish, executive director of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce. “We want to help boost local business growth.”

Parrish said the passport campaign will have a huge incentive in June for residents who participate as well as a raffle each month for prizes donated by businesses for residents who turn in their completed page.

A number of small business owners will be participating in Small Business Saturday, and they hope their deals will be enticing enough to draw more shoppers.

Just Country Friends, which is owned by Billie Jo Snow and Karen Laca, will have deals on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Laca said on today from 8-10 a.m. there will be half-off jewelry prices and 25 percent off purses. On Saturday lotions and candles will be 25 percent off, and 15 percent off signs, while other specials will be displayed throughout the store. Their hours are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Better Than Yesterday, located inside Just Country Friends, will be offering 20 percent off of old apple label frames.

Too Cute Totes, His Inspirations and Blush Skin Spa and Boutique will be open from 6 a.m.-5 p.m., but from 6 a.m.-10 a.m., all three businesses will be offering 30 percent off all items in the store, including customized totes.

“Anyone who comes in from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. will be able to design their own bag (style of the bag, zipper placement and the fabric) and still receive 30 percent off,” said Karen Scott, owner and designer of Too Cute Totes. “After 10 a.m. it reduces to 20 percent off and the bags are not guaranteed for Christmas.”

After 10 a.m. the sale reduces to 20 percent off everything in the store.

Red Zinnia will be hosting a party for Small Business Saturday with complimentary liquor, wine and gourmet food tasting. Red Zinnia will be offering a free personal shopper and gift-wrapping. For every $25 spent, shoppers will receive $5 in cash or gift card. These deals will be offered today through Sunday, today 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Red Zinnia will be open on Sundays through Christmas.

“We’re going to showcase our holiday wines,” owner Susan Henderson said. “It will be a welcoming treat for residents who have family in visiting from out of town for the holidays.”

Cobblestone Corner will be open for its 24th year and will participate in Small Business Saturday. Owner Dee Dee Ferguson said her shop will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with 10 percent off everything in the store. The salesroom has been restocked with new items, and all fall decorations are 25 percent off. There will also be a drawing for shoppers who come in Black Friday and enter for a $50 gift certificate.

Hazels Fashions will also have deals for Small Business Saturday and Black Friday. A 10-20 percent off sale is now occurring. On Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shoppers will be able to receive 20-50 percent off all items in the store. The store will be open from 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

“I will be running a sale of items in the store until we close our doors in December,” owner Hazel Halbert said. “I’m hoping to sell everything in the store by that time and hopefully the deals we’re offering will bring customers in to get that done.”