The smell of peppermint and winter solstice wafts through the air as Be-Life Art & Magic candles flicker amongst bowls of pink crystals and mandala-studded earrings. Downtown, customers peruse chunky knit blankets, sculpted pottery, books, and apparel that boasts the town’s name, while culinary artists finish the details on an oversized gingerbread house inside the corner bakery.

It’s a quaint scene, one often emulated in holiday movies, where snowflakes tap against frosted window panes as shoppers lavish in the comfort and familiarity of the town’s store. In the Mohawk Valley, this is less of a movie scene and more of an inside look at Small Business Saturday.

“Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to support local businesses,” Wendy Moosavi, owner of Gracious Home and Fashions in New Hartford, stated. “Customers can come here, shop for unique items, and visit Utica Bread and Calibrai Coffee for a pick-me-up, or grab lunch at Georgios or Taj Mahal. That’s part of the Small Business Saturday experience. It’s encouraging people to shop locally so they can become part of the businesses and attributes growing around them.”

Gracious Home and Fashions has reveled in marketing head-to-toe women’s fashion, complete with handbags, shoes, jewelry, and outerwear, while delivering the variety customers desire.

It’s a quaint scene, one often emulated in holiday movies, where snowflakes tap against frosted window panes as shoppers lavish in the comfort and familiarity of the town’s store. In the Mohawk Valley, this is less of a movie scene and more of an inside look at Small Business Saturday.

“Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to support local businesses,” Wendy Moosavi, owner of Gracious Home and Fashions in New Hartford, stated. “Customers can come here, shop for unique items, and visit Utica Bread and Calibrai Coffee for a pick-me-up, or grab lunch at Georgios or Taj Mahal. That’s part of the Small Business Saturday experience. It’s encouraging people to shop locally so they can become part of the businesses and attributes growing around them.”

Gracious Home and Fashions has reveled in marketing head-to-toe women’s fashion, complete with handbags, shoes, jewelry, and outerwear while delivering the variety customers desire.

“The survival niche for small businesses is learning the needs of their community and catering to them,” Moosavi stated. “We pride ourselves on offering items that are not in huge supply in our area and keep them under $100. This season, one of our hottest items is the repurposed Louis Vuitton crossbody cellphone holder. It’s an example of the unique, individual gifts that people can find when they shop outside major retail stores.”

According to the Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey, 110 million consumers step out on Small Business Saturday, spending a combined $19.6 billion at neighborhood retailers and restaurants. As Small Business Saturday enters its 12th year, area businesses are stocking their shelves and showing consumers the best way to give is by shopping in the Mohawk Valley.

Lynn Rosen, the owner of Shopper’s Service, located at 5946 Success Drive in Rome, has been catering to nursing home residents for over 46 years. A personal shopping service for residents, Rosen and her team travel to over 300 nursing homes and set up mobile stores filled with fashionable merchandise.

“Our visits make it easy for residents, and family members, to shop, while creating a social event for everyone who attends,” Rosen stated. “We bring a complete line of custom outfits, which includes everything from lipstick to perfume and jewelry, so residents can shop for whatever they need while doing a little holiday shopping on the side.”

With an array of goods for both men and women, Shoppers Service offers hard-to-find items, such as adaptive wear, plus sizes 4x and up, and trending clothing from companies like Ann Taylor Loft, Chico, and Charter Club, at a discounted price. Along with their one-on-one customer service, Shopper’s Services also features garment labeling, alterations, and an online store that allows everyone to shop from the comfort of their home.

“Allowing customers to shop for everything in one location - be that in our mobile store, on-site in our warehouse, or online- allows consumers to feel special, and provides them with a sense of freedom. That’s the individual service people receive when they shop small and locally. Events that highlight that need - like Small Business Saturday- are a gift to those of us striving to stay relevant in the community.”

Mohawk Valley’s culinary talent is no exception when it comes to Small Business Saturday. As shoppers work up an appetite, area restaurants prepare themselves for an evening of take-out, gift card selections, and dine-in visitors.

“Small Business Saturday is our kick-off for cookie tray orders for the holidays, gift card purchases, and shipments to those who are out of town but would like a taste of home. It’s also our busiest time of the year as friends and family come together for drinks and dinner,” Dean Nole, owner of Cafe CaNole in New Hartford stated.

Although Small Business Saturday will feature sales, promotions, and pop-ups, the true aim of local entrepreneurs is to create an engaging and festive atmosphere that will keep consumers feeling inspired to shop small all year long.