MEMPHIS, TN— "Mom and Pop" businesses are diving in Black Friday and Memphians are shopping local.
"They might be here today and gone tomorrow if we don't get out there and support them," said a local shopper Bobbie Schwartz.
"Walmart doesn't carry a monstrance or an altar front piece or the things that really make our lives more precious and interesting,” said another shopper Eilean Lindeman.
Mindy Roberts owns Palladio Antiques & Art in the Cooper-Young area. Her business has been going strong for more than 16 years. She says this year sales are up almost 30-percent.
"Just offering really good service and really good products,” Roberts told abc24.com. “We don't try to mass produce things and I think people are looking for really good quality."
Part of the reason why sales are up is because of the new Urban Outfitters next door.
"I think they add a good mix to the neighborhood," Roberts said.
Even though Roberts can't drop prices really low, there's a reason why she's still in business.
"We have a very active Facebook page, a blog, and we have a very strong email customer base. We try to offer really good customer service," she said.
From artwork to reclaimed furniture, Roberts says with each item sold the community gets a little boost.
"Most of the people that are employed are employed by small businesses."
Roberts hopes more people will shop local and keep the community thriving.
"I came here to buy some birds and now I'm leaving here with about $10,000 worth of inventory that I like to have but don't tell my husband!” laughed Lindeman.
The local answer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday is "Small Business Saturday." It's the second annual national event to support small businesses and shop local Saturday, November 26.
