FAYETTEVILLE -- The Town Center was packed Saturday with booths of high-quality handmade items, giving residents the chance to shop locally for holiday gifts and perhaps purchase jewelry or artwork for themselves.
The booths were part of The Little Craft Show, which was founded in 2011. The event has grown to around 100 vendors and more than 8,000 visitors, according to its website.
Northwest Arkansas crafts
• Wampus Wonderland is another shopping event 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Fayetteville Town Center, according to its Facebook event page.
• The Little Craft Show will have another event from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at the The Record in Downtown Bentonville at 104 SW A St.
Source: Staff report
The Little Craft Show is just one example of shopping locally the Saturday after Thanksgiving, also known as Small Business Saturday.
Edward Haddock is the Arkansas district director for the U.S. Small Business Association. He said he encourages everyone to commit to making at least one purchase from a locally owned small-business retailer.
"Get to know the owner, and make your gift more meaningful by sharing their story as part of what you give your loved ones," Haddock said. "Enjoy the experience. Travel outside your comfort zone -- and away from your computer screen -- to discover an out-of-the ordinary shopping district with some trendy local stores."
Last year, there were 112 million consumers shopping small on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, spending more than $15.4 billion. More than 60 percent of consumers state the main reason they support small businesses is because of their contributions to the community, according to a news release.
Saturday shopper Heather Williams said, "I've always gravitated towards unique, artisan-type stuff. And I have friends that have small businesses, so I like to support small, local businesses."
Williams carried numerous stuffed bags around the Fayetteville Town Center and said she accomplished a whole lot of Christmas shopping.
It's difficult shopping for parents who have everything, Williams said, and a craft show such as the one Saturday makes it easier to shop for something special.
When asked what they enjoy the most about shopping during the holidays, 35 percent said it's a family tradition while 23 percent said they most enjoy holiday decorations and displays; 18 percent cited finding the perfect gift for someone, according to a National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics survey. The numbers include Cyber Monday in addition to Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Sunday.
Many of the artists and makers at Saturday's craft show said they have Etsy accounts and make most of their sales online. Both physical store owners and those who normally just sell online said they still find it worth it to come to craft shows.
Bella Vista artist Monica Jordan said, "It's nice to get together in these communities and meet and interact with other people on the making side of things, but also it's great to get to see the reactions from clients and get feedback."
Many also said they see an increase in sales during the holiday season and not just window shopping.
"I feel a surge of people wanting to shop local and shop small, especially here in Fayetteville. I know people are going to do a lot of shopping," said Keely Wake, owner of Flora & Fauuna.
These shows also help residents know what options are out there besides big, brand stores, many said.
Markham & Fitz is a chocolate shop that has been around Fayetteville for about three years, previously known as Hello Cocoa. Husband and wife Mark and Lauren Blanco are moving the shop to 8th Street Market in downtown Bentonville before Christmas, they said.
"We are trying to promote it more and that's why we come to these shows: To get our name out there," Mark Blanco said. "As a local chocolate maker, there's not too much of us out there. If we can stand out as local, that might get people to buy."
While many consumers will take advantage of deals over Thanksgiving weekend, 31 percent will refrain from shopping during the weekend, according to the National Retail Federation survey.
NW News on 11/26/2017