The weekend after Thanksgiving is overbooked with more than simply holiday shopping.
The big box retailers have Black Friday, while online retailers have Cyber Monday.
But Ohio’s small businesses have to compete with the Ohio State-Michigan football on Saturday, which has been designated as Small Business Saturday nationwide for more than five years.
“The OSU-Michigan game is always that Saturday,” said Susie Bibler, executive director of Main Street Delaware.
About $14.3 billion was spent at small independent businesses in 2014 on that day and 95 million people in 2015 went out to shop at small businesses.
But with the OSU game at noon, some downtown businesses usually have their holiday sales start on Friday, Bibler said.
The customer base for Breakway Cycling, 17 W. William St., will not likely visit the store Saturday when the game is broadcast.
“Historically, we see more traffic on Friday,” said owner Dan Negley. The 25-year-old downtown business will have discounts on 2016 model bikes, athletic apparel and indoor trainers, which turn road bikes into stationary ones.
He said the game doesn’t impact their post-Thanksgiving sales for some businesses owned by women.
Owners such as Kathleen Miller, the owner of Button Up, 29 N. Sandusky St., who had her handmade art store decorated for the Christmas holiday. She plans to hand out bags with the words “Shop Small” this weekend.
She said some customers scheduled to visit before or after the Ohio State game.
Miller, who opened her store in 2012, said the weekend gives a big boost to downtown businesses as some residents intentionally do their Christmas shopping in the area.
“It makes a big difference,” she said.
Additionally, Main Street Delaware will have its annual “Holiday Open House” for downtown merchants from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 10. Businesses will offer treats, treasures and refreshments during the event.
For information go to www.shopsmall.com.
