I have to admit, when my parents and I took part in the Small Business Saturday event Nov. 25, I only had one thing motivating me. I must win that amazing T-Rex stuffed animal. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of getting some interesting gifts and shopping locally was enticing, but the weather was not. Plans weren’t set in stone, so we could always stay home if the weather was too horrible. Not that there was anything in the forecast, but you never know up here.
The day of the event, the weather was ideal for November in the U.P. It was a bit windy, very sunny, and most importantly – NO SNOW! I had my “passport” ready to go with all the stores I wanted to visit, some I have been, some I haven’t. The deal was that you get your passport stamped by six businesses and then you have a chance to win a kayak filled with merchandise from the stores participating, including a stuffed T-Rex.
We started with Sticks and Stones. It was full of wonderful décor and jewelry – and people. We practically were following a line of people throughout the store. When we came out, we had a new goal. Go to as many of the stores that were close to each other, then we could shop wherever else we wanted. There was a cluster of stores on the map, so we went to most of them in walking distance, then we drove down and went to a couple more.
After Sticks and Stones, we went over to Amos & Sparkys, Winnipeg, the Flower Gallery, First Street Art Gallery and finished off at Forever Toys. Amos & Sparkys had so many nostalgic pieces for sale, everything from mixing bowls, skis and books. Winnipeg was bright and organized, with herbal soaps and lip balms, tea diffusers and even a men’s section in the back with some facial hair upkeep supplies. The Flower Gallery had amazing candles, homey decorations and floral arrangements, among other great things to buy. Forever Toys — I swear its bigger on the inside — had so many fun toys for learning and for just being a kid, as well as some toys my mom and dad remembered having as kids. The First Street Art Gallery was full of art of all kinds. I looked at some wonderful pieces by local artists I know in person or by name.
I was so astonished that I had traveled past these stores on a regular basis — on my way to do one thing or another — and had never stopped in any of them. My dad had commented at one point that the event felt like Halloween, but for adults. The mass amounts of people in and out of each of the businesses was refreshing to see. You don’t get that shopping online.
Unfortunately, both Winnipeg and Amos and Sparky’s Repurposed Antiques are out of business since the event. It reminds me how valuable these people and places are in our area and how much we need to support each other so these gems don’t disappear. By the way, both Winnipeg and Amos and Sparkys have a Facebook page; Amos and Sparky’s Facebook is busy selling antiques and keeping their customers up to date with some new things they’re up to.
With how much we enjoyed the event, we are all crossing our fingers that it will be an annual event so we can bring more family members next year. And, if you can’t wait until then, there’s an event today that is also focusing on shopping local and with a chance to win prizes as well. There are 30 businesses in the Marinette, Menominee and Peshtigo area that are involved. There was a special section with all of the information that was in the Action Sunday March 11 as well as in Wednesday’s EagleHerald.
To all those who are going to head on over now or who have already started to shop locally, have fun shopping!
This column was originally published March 16, 2018, in the EagleHerald. You can find this column and others like it at ehextra.com.
Mak's Vision 