GOSHEN —
Ed and Willy Welter of Bristol found some handmade wooden ink pens in the Legacy Home Furniture store located at the Old Bag Factory Saturday afternoon.
“Success,” Willy Welter, said, smiling at having completed some Christmas shopping.
“We’re waiting for the (Notre Dame football) game to start tonight so we decided to come here,” she said. “We like this store a lot and haven’t been here in a while. It’s nice to see all the cars in the parking lot.”
Even though the couple didn’t realize it was “Small Business Saturday,” a day designated to support local small businesses, Dave Schwartzentruber, manager of Legacy Home Furniture, was well aware of the fact.
“I am busy, and it’s good to be busy,” Schwartzentruber said. “I don’t mind being busy. I’m just here alone today. People have called from out of town for orders. We’re getting more and more places filled up (inside Old Bag Factory) and that’s good. It helps everybody out.”
Becky Hoogenboom, the owner of Cora’s, said she was pleased with sales and the emphasis on supporting small businesses.
“Sales have been pretty good — a little above average — and business has been good today,” Hoogenboom said. “I think it’s a combination of being both the holiday weekend and Small Business Saturday.”
Her business has been located at the Old Bag Factory for about a year, she said.
“We support local artists and nothing is mass produced,” she explained. “There’s a variety of things, a few antiques. We take pride on our things being made in the U.S. and no China.”
Four-year-old Hunter Fisher rode a wooden horse with a $10 sticker on its neck in front of the Depot Furniture MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) Thrift Shop across the sidewalk from the Old Bag Factory.
His mom, Jenny Fisher, of Milford, had not heard of Small Business Saturday.
“We just came to get out of the house and thought it would be a little more peaceful here and not have the rush of people ruin it,” Fisher said. “It’s nice to wander at your leisure.”
Amber Hart of Goshen said she was aware of the special shopping day and waited specifically for Saturday to do her shopping at The Gift of G.A.B., Goshen’s Alternative Business, in downtown Goshen.
“They have really great bracelets and I need another one,” Hart said, smiling. “I was holding out for small business day. I did hold out and came out to support it.”
Down the sidewalk in the T.G. Music shop, employee Adam Hartung, said there were some new customers inside the store.
“There’s been a lot more foot traffic today, which is always good,” Hartung said. “I’ve seen some new faces and typical Christmas shoppers. There’s not any less, not any more than usual. It’s been pretty consistent for traffic flow and sales.”
Local News
Related Photos
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Hunter Fisher, 4, of Milford, rides a wooden horse in front of the Depot Furniture MCC Thrift Shop near the Old Bag Factory during Support Small Business Saturday. SHERRY VAN ARSDALL
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