SHEBOYGAN – A new clothing and home furnishings store is among the Sheboygan businesses participating in the annual Shop Small Saturday event.
Co-owners Crystal and Scott Olbrantz opened Knot & Thread, 514 N. Eighth St., on Nov. 24. Featuring women's clothing, jewelry, embroidery, home furnishings and handcrafted wood products. Scott's wood products include bowls and plates.
There is a shop, an old co-working space, old cupboards, stands and shelves. There are also Scott tools, which have been recycling wood for about five years.
“I want people to feel comfortable and have a unique experience,” Crystal said.
Crystal's retail journey began online in 2017 when she founded Living 4 You Boutique, an online boutique and lifestyle blog.
Knot and Thread is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Participating in Shop Small Saturday is a way to celebrate and support local businesses during one of the busiest shopping times of the year, said Lynn Potien, owner of The GameBoard.
“We focus so much on businesses that we forget that small businesses belong to our neighbors and friends and owning a small business is difficult,” Potien said. “It's very important to support the companies you love, otherwise what happens? Businesses are closing and people are sad because they no longer have that option.”
The day, known as Small Business Saturday, was created in 2010 by the banking company American Express. Small Business Saturday generated $17.9 billion in sales at independent stores and restaurants last year, according to an Amex consumer survey.
Potien said GameBoard, 621 N. Eighth St., has been supported for 17 years by community members who can be instrumental in keeping a small business running.
“We lost two or three companies this fall,” Potien said . “They (community members) need to stop and go. Stop by Paradigm for a coffee. Go to WordHaven and purchase the book. (Go) to GameBoard and buy a game or a bar of soap.'
The Goodside Grocery Co-Op in Sheboygan closed and the Six Turtles boutique did not return to the chain until late October.
“Choosing to buy locally allows our residents to work here and contribute to a thriving community where people want to live, work and play,” Paul Rudnick, president of Harbor Center Business Improvement, said in an e-post District and owner of Rudnick Jewelers said.
Rudnick said the BID encourages people to shop locally during the holiday shopping season and throughout the year, which in turn will invest in Sheboygan's local economy.
What features are offered?
Participating businesses (full list can be found later in this article) will be giving away bags, with the exception of Parker John's BBQ & Pizza. The first 100 buyers will also receive an ornament made by a local artist.
GameBoard, which sells games, candles and clothing, is offering a special soap opera and puzzle piece: Customers who return a puzzle piece will be entered into a drawing for a gift card. The store holds a raffle three weeks before Christmas. Gift cards are $25 for the first two weeks and $50 for the final week.
Which companies take part in Shop Small Saturday?
Twenty local businesses and organizations from downtown, the waterfront and South Pier shopping districts are open for Saturday's event.
center
Riverside area
South Pier Drive area
When is Kleinwinkel Saturday?
Shop Small will be open Saturday November 25th from 10am to 4pm.
Contact Alex Garner at 224-374-2332 or agarner@gannett.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @alexx_garner.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan businesses to participate in Shop Small on Saturday, November 25th.
