Shop Small Event Thrives In Mesquite

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

It seemed like “Black Friday” came a day late in Mesquite on Saturday, Nov. 26. Nineteen business participated in the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Small Business Saturday-Shop Local event which drew crowds of shoppers to local businesses.

Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the event encouraged local shoppers to keep their holiday shopping dollars local. Participants could pick-up a passport and a list of participating businesses at Juniper Outpost consignment shop in the Mesquite Plaza Shopping Center. As they visited each participating business they could get the passport stamped at each one.

Those with a fully stamped passport at the end of the day, could drop it off at Danielle’s Chocolates and Popcorn to be entered into a drawing. The winner would receive $320 in holiday shopping cash donated by the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Needless to say, Juniper Outpost was a very busy place on Saturday. The store opened at 8 am. By 10:30 am the shop had already handed out 30 passports. And things continued busy throughout the day.
Most of the participating businesses offered special discounts on merchandise and edible treats for Small Business Saturday customers.

Mesquite Business Center and UHaul was a busy participant in the event.
“People are bringing their passports in,” said owner Susan Galliher. “This event is a good way for people to become familiar with the products we have to offer.”

Besides getting a yummy Ginger Bead cookie from Sweet Williams Cake Shoppe to eat, customers were treated to viewing the lighted and musical Christmas Village on display.

Blvd Home Furniture store manager, John Ellis was happy to be participating. He remarked that the store was seeing more and more local customers.
“The Chamber promoting this passport event is a good thing for us,” Ellis said.

Jocelyn Le Cheninant of Danielle’s Chocolates said, “This passport event is one of the main reasons we joined the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce. It is very successful.”

Denise Sims of Exquisite Blooms was so busy she didn’t even have a moment for an interview. But she happily acknowledge that it was a great event.

“We had several businesses who reported record sales that day,” said Chamber President/CEO Carol Kolson. “We had lots of comments from shoppers and retailers alike that they had funwhile getting some shopping done.”

A total of 65 passports were handed out during this successful event. The winner of the drawing was Rachel Thompson who received the cash prize plus a beautiful poinsettia.

“The Chamber would like to thank Juniper Outpost for handing out the passports and Danielle’s Chocolates and Popcorn for taking in the completed passports,” Kolson concluded.