Keeping it local
DEVIN WEEKS/Press Kacie Bolkovatz, a sales associate at the Finan McDonald Clothing Company in The Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza Shops, makes customers Ron and Kelly Charlton laugh as she rings up their purchase during Small Business Saturday. Many of this store’s employees have worked there for several years and have developed special relationships with their loyal customers.
Shenanigans Sweets and Treats assistant manager Alexis Nelson, left, helps store manager Mallary Juarez hang a sign on the front of the downtown Coeur d'Alene store during Small Business Saturday to let shoppers know Shenanigans is the "Stocking Stuffer Headquarters." Many shops downtown put out special signs and balloons to bring in customers to support local businesses during this busy shopping weekend. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press)
Shoppers who visit Finan McDonald Clothing Company in The Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shops know they're going to get quality items, fair prices and exceptional service.
For those who are in a panic or don't know what to buy, this store comes with an added bonus.
"For a person who doesn't shop a lot, they can come in and get a personal shopper. Our store manager's been here 20 years and she is a fabulous personal shopper," said Twilla Ford, who owns Finan McDonald with husband, Vic. "All of our employees know retail, clothing, color. If you want something put together, we have it."
This is a special, personalized touch that Coeur d'Alene Finan McDonald is happy to provide. As a small, independent shop, the owners and staff have a keen understanding of how important it is to build relationships and trust with their clientele.
"We know our good customers by name," Twilla said. "That's a big one."
This Finan McDonald is celebrating 20 years in business. Twilla said when they opened, it was crucial the community had independent stores because it didn't have many other options.
"There wasn’t internet. I don't even know if there was such a thing as Black Friday. There wasn’t Cyber Monday," she said. "That was the basis of having a small business, not only putting people to work but keeping it local. People didn’t want to drive very far."
On Small Business Saturday, Twilla spoke of the significance of small shops and the role they play in a healthy community.
"As a small business owner, when we put people to work, it's fulfilling as a person knowing that families are supported by us and the people that come in and shop feel the same way," she said. "They support us as a small business, they think it’s important."
Finan McDonald dropped prices 20 percent for Small Business Saturday and will continue the sale today. Twilla said they're doing this following a busy Black Friday.
"I’m optimistic the weekend will continue to be productive and lucrative," she said. "There are a lot of new people in town. We’re hopeful that we can capitalize on the influx of people."
Many downtown stores held specials on Saturday to appeal to customers out and about for Small Business Saturday, indicating the excitement with bright stickers, balloons and special signs. Some locations had doormats or other signage reading things like "Our place is your place — shop small" and other reminders of the retail holiday.
Shenanigans Sweets and Treats store manager Mallary Juarez and her assistant manager Alexis Nelson hung a sign in the morning across their window letting the world know Shenanigans is the "Stocking Stuffer Headquarters" this holiday season.
Juarez said they were gearing up to have a big Small Business Saturday.
"Since we're a small business, this actually gets people out to us instead of the big corporate companies," she said. "This is what we rely on, us small people, instead of working somewhere like Walmart."