Twelfth annual Small Business Saturday lures more shoppers to downtown Warwick

On Saturday, Nov. 27, with cool temperatures but sunny skies, Warwick celebrated the twelfth annual “Small Business Saturday,” a “Shop Small” campaign launched by American Express. And shoppers came out in droves to the downtown business district.

Warwick business owners were fully stocked and reported that this special day during Home for the Holidays as well as the entire weekend was a huge success.

Visitors coming to shop in ‘out robust village’

Small Business Saturday, sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, was created to attract shoppers to local businesses nationwide.

“This day exceeded last year in sales,” said Nicole Repose, owner of Etched in Time Engraving. “Not only did we have local customers but we also had a lot of people from the tri-state area coming to Warwick specifically for our robust village.”

‘I’ve never sold so many sweaters’

Mayor Michael Newhard, owner of Newhard’s Gift Shop, and Jerry Schlichting, co-owner of Frazzleberries, also reported that business was brisk, not only for that Saturday but for the weekend.

“I think the story here would be our robust Black Friday,” said Tim Mullally, co-owner of Style Counsel. “For us it has always been pretty anti-climactic. But this past one was pretty remarkable. We were busy with old and new customers getting their shopping done. In my 30 years in business I’ve never sold so many sweaters.”

A viable downtown benefits the entire community

The good turnout was also attributed to the return of Home for the Holidays traditional attractions.

Business owners, however, have always cited the many advantages of shopping local including personal service, saving fuel and time, free parking, avoiding unnecessary aggravation and fueling the local economy.

And a viable downtown business district benefits the entire community.