Clovis shops excited for Small Business Saturday

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Black Friday rush is over and now it's all about Small Business Saturday. Inside The Foundry in Old Town Clovis, the shelves and displays have been carefully decorated for the holiday season and one of the biggest shopping days of the year.

"Small Business Saturday is such a great day for us, and all of Old Town, and for our community to come out support local shops," owner Karen Chism said.

The Foundry is a home decor and clothing store in Old Town. The store is one of many participating in the national event, which aims to get more people to shop at their mom and pop stores.

"So, today we're going to be putting out a lot of merchandise for tomorrow," Chism said. "We are going to have some special sales and we really want to support other local businesses, so our giveaway is going to be from another small business that we've partnered with."

Chism said in addition to her own merchandise, she'll also have plenty of gifts from local makers. Employees are also busy getting items ready. The store will double their staff for Small Business Saturday.

The City of Clovis is also getting behind the small business push. It's offering a unique incentive to car buyers that benefits local shops.

"If you buy a car in Clovis - new, used, leased - at any of the eight new car dealerships then we will give the customer back the sales tax, our portion of the sales tax, and they can go out and spend it in the form of these shop and dine cards," business development manager Shawn Miller said.

Officials said the goal is to get people to eat, shop and spend local and to keep coming back. Meanwhile, back at The Foundry, employees are looking forward to Saturday and say shoppers will enjoy a calmer and more relaxing shopping experience at their local shop.

"For Small Business Saturday, a few hundred, which is huge for us," Chism said. "We're just a little store, and we love every one of them that come through the doors and it so much fun."

Many of the stores in Old Town Clovis will open early Saturday and owners hope people will come out to shop local this holiday season.