Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
The last of the leftovers have been put away, now it’s time to turn from feasting to gifting.
Communities across the Radius Indiana region are ready to help shoppers find the perfect gift and it all starts with Small Business Saturday Nov. 25.
From Huntingburg to Orleans, Washington to Bedford, Salem to Paoli, downtowns are planning a variety of activities for shoppers as small businesses gear up for their biggest season. Dollars spent in communities stay in communities, supporting the owners and their employees. Vibrant downtowns attract visitors from around the area.
In Martin County, downtown Shoals will have its first ever Small Business Saturday.
Organized by Historic Shoals River District, the downtown group that’s working toward becoming a Main Street organization, stores will have specials, there will be a 5K run/walk, vendor market, live music, silent auction and beer and wine garden.
Grant Sherfick is a member of Historic Shoals River District and owner of H&H Hardware, the newest business on Shoals’ Main Street.
“We wanted to showcase the businesses in Shoals and show the different sides of Shoals to interest different people,” Sherfick said.
The 9 a.m. 5K run/walk will take participants through downtown Shoals, past the White River and out to the Bluffs of Beaver Bend and back to town. Items from Shoals businesses will be part of a silent auction from 10-3 p.m. inside Hair Tropics.
A pop-up market at White River Marina and Motorsports on Low Street will have more than a dozen small businesses from 10-4. From 1-6, a beer and wine garden will serve beer from Feed Store Beer Co. in Bloomfield and Patoka Lake Winery; live music from 3-6.
“All the businesses are super excited about it and I really think what they’re most excited about is being able to work together to help everybody and make downtown Shoals better for everybody involved,” Sherfick said.
Also on Saturday, H&H Hardware will have its grand opening. To celebrate, the store will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., serve barbecue from 11-1 and offer a 20% off bag sale.
It’s been about 10 years since Shoals had a hardware store. Competition from big box stores in neighboring cities led to the closure of the town’s last hardware store.
A ribbon-cutting was held earlier in the week at H&H.
“I’m so encouraged and so many have reached out to tell me how much it’s needed in the community. I think people are excited to shop in Shoals, because it’s been a while since they could go and do that,” Sherfick said.
He’s also encouraged by the number of organizations and businesses that have reached out to set up purchasing accounts with H&H.
“I think there’s a movement right now back to small towns and supporting local businesses,” he said.
H&H Hardware is not the only new business in downtown Shoals. The Mexican restaurant Casa Seville recently opened on Main Street.
Shop Small in Loogootee
Shoppers at Shop Small Saturday will be served hot chocolate and can enter a drawing for $100 and gifts from merchants.
Participating businesses include:
- The Thrifty Nook, 105 JFK Ave.
- Betsey’s Boutique, 110 W. Main St.
- Corner Cafe, 201 JFK Ave.
- Michelle’s Pampered Chef, 108 Church St.
- Hometown Flowers and Gifts, 203 JFK Ave.