Kambe Mabry has run the Rusty Brush with her mother for years, but moved into available space at Stick and Stone in downtown Springfield several weeks ago. Mabry and four other local business owners offer a mix of furniture, art, home decor and handmade soaps from the storefront.
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The business specializes in painting and refurbishing furniture, along with cabinets and custom upholstery along with other services. The business has faced rough patches, particularly after Mabry was seriously injured in an auto accident several years ago. But she said her business has become much more stable after years of persistence, and she’s optimistic local retail in Springfield is finally trending in the right direction.
She pointed to investments downtown including a new brewery and a new public market set to open in the city next year. Mabry said she had a choice between moving her business to Bellefontaine or Springfield, but settled on Clark County because of the potential she sees for small businesses. She said she recently worked on an interior design project for a new deli scheduled to open soon next to Stick and Stone.
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“I like being at the beginning of something rather than at the end and I really think Springfield has it going on,” Mabry said.
Information from Small Business Administration showed in 2010 there were 28 million small businesses in the U.S. and 18,500 firms with 500 employees or more. However, the agency defines a small business as an independent business having fewer than 500 employees. Information from American Express argued shopping locally is important to communities because about two thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses stays in the local community.
About 83 percent of consumers plan to do at least some portion of their holiday shopping at a small, local businesses, according to information from American Express.
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In Urbana, Jeff Weber has owned J. Michael Jewelry and Gold at 20 Monument Square downtown for about four years. He started the jewelry store after running a business from his home since 2006. He said the business has had a solid month and he’s hoping it continues, although he noted customers have told him parking can be a challenge.
He said it’s important to draw in shoppers in the weeks leading up to Christmas because foot traffic tends to lag in other parts of the year.
“You always hope it will get better and that’s what keeps you going,” he said.
Information from the National Retail Federation showed there are reasons to be optimistic for businesses. The agency reported retail sales were up 4.3 percent on a three-month moving average compared with the same period a year ago.
“The figures bolster expectations for the major shopping period of the year, the holidays,” said NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz in a news release. “Thanks to a high level of consumer confidence surrounding the current and future economy, we expect spending to maintain its strong momentum.”
Karman and Jennifer McKee opened their coffee shop Village Cup in downtown South Charleston this Spring. The coffee shop is in the back of Village Chic, a vintage retail store they also opened at 17 S. Chillicothe St. The businesses will offer several specials on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, including drink specials and a free gift with every purchase of $50 or more.
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She said the village’s downtown has seen investment by other small business owners, including a nearby business called All in Flavor Cafe and Sweets at 9 S. Chillicothe St. Jennifer Mckee said the two businesses often work together and encourage visitors to stop by both stores. She said the coffee shop was initially open four days a week but it’s now open daily because of customer demand.
“The reception for the coffee shop has been really strong,” she said.
Donyale Hill opened D. Sweets Cookies and Gifts LLC. in September after years of running the bakery from her home. She said it will be her first time participating in Small Business Saturday since opening the storefront at 1605 E. Main St. in Springfield. Her bakery sells cookies, cupcakes and other treats, but she's also increasingly focused on corporate customers. On Saturday, the first 20 customers at the bakery will receive a 10-percent discount, she said.
She said the bakery has been so busy since it opened it’s been challenging to find enough downtime to get organized and plan ahead.
Hill grew up in Springfield and said it’s been a tough environment for many small businesses over the past decade. But like Mabry, she’s optimistic more locally-owned businesses are starting to open in the city.
“It’s definitely very important to support local businesses,” Hill said. “Springfield for the most part is doing that.”
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