Shopping Small is BIG
In a roundabout way, seasonal shopping and the mad rush toward Christmas brought about a beautiful little holiday called Small Business Saturday. This day, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, has been named an American shopping holiday that serves almost as a counterpart to the always-chaotic Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These holidays bring deals and doorbuster-style specials from big box stores and e-commerce sites alike, while in contrast, Small Business Saturday offers shoppers the chance to shop small, and show their support for local brick-and-mortar businesses and boutiques in their own communities.
Of course, shopping local is imperative for the success of small businesses, but the shift in our regular ways of life over the past couple of years has made this an even more purposeful endeavor. Choosing to shop small in our own communities helps to keep them viable, ensuring that small business’ doors stay open even in trying times.
A Long History of Unique Art & Gifts
In honor of Small Business Saturday, we want to highlight one of our long-time clients and favorite local shops, Plum Nelly. This extraordinary Chattanooga gift shop and gallery has a rich history that dates all the way back to 1947. Since its inception, Plum Nelly has seen a succession of four, art-loving female owners and curators. The store has also seen multiple location changes over the years in addition to changing ownership, and is currently owned by Catherine Daniels. Catherine is passionate about Chattanooga, art, and unique gifts and treasures for the home, a trait that is apparent in even the briefest of interactions with her inside the store.
A Chattanooga staple, the Plum Nelly shop has long been recognized locally for its eclectic collection of pottery, art, gifts, jewelry, and more. Its shelves are a veritable treasure trove of artwork by many local and regional artists, and owner, Catherine, is teeming with stories and anecdotes behind each and every item in the store. She is eager to chat with store browsers about the artists who create the alluring items that line each surface of the colorful shop, and her genuine enthusiasm is both charming and contagious. The boutique is just as special to passersby who wander inside as it is to the regulars who Catherine greets by name, and everyone who stops in seems to leave having been somehow inspired by the trinkets and treasures therein.
Supporting Local Business Together
Our team at Riverworks enjoys working with Catherine and Plum Nelly for the store’s marketing efforts, but what’s more is we recognize how special shops like this are, and how much value they bring to our Chattanooga community. So this year for Small Business Saturday, we invite our followers and friends to shop small, support local, and find some community businesses you love, believe in, and want to support on an ongoing basis! Happy Small Business Saturday from our team to yours!