KELSEYVILLE >> Small Business Saturday caters to a niche customer base, but as Black Friday did not steal any of its thunder, customers crowded aisles, scored one-of-a kind clothing, handmade and gift items along with jewelry, as shoppers were eager to purchase items not found at big box stores.
“People who know us have been very supportive,” said Caitlin Andrus, owner of Oak, a one-of-a-kind clothing store, which includes hand-made items and jewelry the last nine years. Despite a perceived drop in tourism over the summer, loyal customers from the Bay Area and Sacramento continue to arrive as the Christmas season unfolds. “Yesterday we had a family come back from San Jose, Andrus said. “Four generations, very cool. And our local customers are incredible, I’m so grateful. Even when they don’t have a lot of money, they want to support the local businesses.”
Andrus’ Small Business Saturday promotion was, buy one get one free. It’s a little quieter this year she conjectured, early on Saturday. An explanation for that is because of the steep escalation of prices of gas, groceries and other staples the prior four years noted Andrus. The other members of her collective include: Wild Wonders, hand-made merchandise, Home Grown, children’s clothing, A &H, general store, Martha’s Sewing, alterations and Vintage Hair Company (salon). “We’re all different but we support each other and do lots of cross promotion,” Andrus added.
At Bottle Rock, where shoppers can find all natural wax candles, home decor/self-care and tea bar workshops, had a 20% off sale. “I feel like it was Christmas to weeks ago,” Jennifer Gayda, owner said. “Just because I make everything in-house; candles, skincare, carpet freshener, all natural room spray, all chemical free.”
It was during COVID Gayda began to sell to “mom and pop” shops, after she had been making candles over 20 years. But it was at that time her cost of production cost of started to shoot up. “I noticed, until August, there was a decline in business, but since then, there’s been an uptick.” Yet Gayda said just after the November 5 election, business owners seemed more hopeful. She went on that there has been discussion in the Kelseyville Business Association about exploring a possibility of installing electric vehicle charging stations in town, which could be a help to drive retail traffic.
Running her business for five years, Gabriella Moore, a designer who owns Dogwood & Crow, vintage clothes also offers home decor, stone and glassware, rugs and blankets. She opened her bricks and mortar location on Main Street just in April but worked out of a website, which has paused since she has been so busy with her retail shop. Moore offered a storewide 10% discount for Small Business Saturday, as well as a chance to win a $100 gift certificate for anyone who made a purchase in a blind draw, with the winner being informed on Sunday. Her stock includes Women and men’s clothing from the 1960s to the year 2000.
Moore praised the Kelseyville Business Association for maintaining diagonal parking as opposed to parallel parking. Moore wants everybody to know she buys and sells vintage clothing and if anyone wants to make an appointment through her website, www.dogwoodandcrow.com or her, account at Instagram@dogwoodandcrow or dogwooandcrow@gmail.com Moore is also offering to ship anywhere within the U.S.
The iconic, Two Sisters, antiques, collectable and gifts, the shop ran by Tina and Robin Kingsley along with recent hire, Kendale Brocco held a storewide 25% discount on Shop Small Saturday. Also happening was a Needle felting class and workshop were participants diligently dug into their needle felt Santa Claus and other Christmas figures. The method relies upon creating felt that uses specially designed needles instead of water. Felting needles have angled notches along the shaft that catch fibers and tangle them together to produce felt.
Tina Kingsley noted they have one-of-a kind glass, dinner and tableware, vintage clothing as well as a selection of vintage garden tools, birdhouses, commercial and residential signage. The best thing about the business is they are not constrained by one type of item for sale. “I like to search for the goodies, something neat, clean and interestingly put together, ” Tina said.
