Staff Writer

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday was a day that encouraged shoppers to head for Main Street instead of the mall.

While some merchants in Saco and Biddeford saw more business on Small Business Saturday, they said the community needs to understand the importance of shopping local year-round.

The first national promotion of Small Business Saturday was supported by a number of businesses and organizations, including American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center. Nearly 1.2 million people became fans of the Small Business Saturday Facebook page.

On Saturday morning, Lori Irving stood behind the counter of Simply You on Main Street in Saco while she chatted with customers and gift-wrapped their purchases. As shoppers browsed the shop, Irving said she was busy both Friday and Saturday.

“People have definitely been coming in. I have seen an increase this year,” she said. “I think everything is going to be positive.”

Irving said she supports the idea of Small Business Saturday because it brings attention to the importance of supporting small businesses in the community.

“I think it makes people stop and think,” she said.

Irving said she was especially grateful for Sen. Olympia Snowe’s endorsement of the day. Snowe, a ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released a statement urging shoppers to spend their money at independently owned businesses.

“I often tour Main Streets in cities and towns across Maine to speak directly with local business owners, and they have told me repeatedly that they rely on increased sales to grow their businesses and create new jobs,” Snowe said. “Small Business Saturday provides an ideal opportunity to support our local retailers, who are the economic backbone of our communities.”

Ellen Rodman of Biddeford spent Saturday morning shopping for holiday gifts at Simply You and Lacava in Biddeford. She said she heard about Small Business Saturday on the news, but tries to support local businesses more regularly.

“There are some great stores around here,” she said. “It’s really unique and special when you come into a store like this on Main Street.”

Peggy Mailman of Saco, who was shopping at Simply You, said she works on Main Street and appreciates efforts to get people to think more about shopping locally.

“People in these local businesses are so friendly, nice and helpful,” she said. “I think it is very convenient. I do try to make an effort to support local businesses.”

Heather MacLean, a crafter who works at Stone Soup Artisans in Saco, said the shop was busy both Friday and Saturday. Though the store did not run any special promotions for the weekend, customers did make big purchases, she said.

“There were a lot of people downtown,” she said. “It was a great weekend.”

Amy Lambert, owner of Sooper Dogs, said she saw an increase in business Saturday and had several customers say they stopped in because of the shop local promotion. Though she appreciates the extra business and attention, Lambert said residents need to support local businesses if they want to maintain a vibrant downtown.

“Every single sale matters to us,” she said.

Mark Johnston of Vic and Whit’s also said residents need to do more to support small businesses. Last week was the slowest Saturday at the store since September, but Johnston said people buy more beer and wine closer to Christmas.

“Saco and Biddeford residents need to worry they will lose the downtowns if they don’t start shopping downtown,” he said. “It’s an individual responsibility to determine what they want for their community. They have the power to influence what happens downtown.”

Johnston said downtown businesses collectively are the largest employers in Saco and have a large tax base. There are more potential shoppers in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach than in Portland, he said.

“Shop local is a 365-day decision, not just once a year,” Johnston said.

Sheila Speckin, owner of Buck Nuts,  said Small Business Saturday was a big help for local businesses. Buck Nuts’ business was up 30 percent over a normal Saturday. She said she was glad there is a national promotion to shop local, but would like to see the campaign throughout the year.

“To promote it once a year is good, but to do it quarterly would continually bring awareness,” she said.

Across the river in Biddeford, Sharon Sevigny, a partner at Lacava, said she worries about the future of Main Street. Though the shop was busy over the weekend, there are fewer and fewer shops to draw people to the area, she said.

“It used to be hustling and bustling. Everyone was downtown,” she said. “We need to go back to the old days when we could shop downtown.”

Sevigny said she remembers when Main Street in Biddeford was the place to be on Friday nights. At Christmas, she and her father would browse the stores for gifts for her mother, and greet friends and neighbors they ran into along the way.

“We’d go downtown on a Friday night and everything was open,” she said. “There were so many stores it was unbelievable.”

Like Johnston, Sevigny said she wants residents to think more about the importance of supporting small businesses so they are able to keep their doors open.

“It can’t be just at Christmas,” she said. “We’re here year-round.”

Nadeen DeSilva, director of Saco Spirit, said now is a good time for shoppers to rediscover what Main Street has to offer.

“I think the experience of going into the small stores is so personal,” she said. “The prices really are right on a lot of items.”

DeSilva said Saco has created a festive environment to encourage holiday shopping. Beginning this week, holiday music will be piped along Main Street.

“There’s just something about the feel you get – the lights, the decorations, walking outside store to store,” she said.

Speckin said she thinks residents should make time to go to Main Street to shop and discover the “wonderful people” running small businesses.

“You get the value for your dollar, but also personalized service,” she said. “It’s a warmer way of doing business.”  

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.