NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Shoppers across the country turned out to support small businesses in their communities as part of a national initiative to get people to buy local.
North Myrtle Beach is one local town which goes big for Small Business Saturday. Shoppers were offered a flurry of savings at the third annual Snowball Drop at Duffy’s Restaurant on Main St.
“People were really ready to get those balls,” said retiree Maycille Raab, who made the trip from Little River.
Shot from an air gun, shoveled and dropped; coupons on ping pings had the crowd rushing to gather as many possible, “as long as you were not knocked down, that’s the main thing,” said a laughing Raab.
Adding to the excitement, twenty flying discs were tossed to the crowd with $25 gift cards attached.
Bailey Payne snagged two, though his experience playing ultimate frisbee in high school, may have given him an unfair advantage.
“I know how to get above people and catch frisbees, but I caught it for my grandma so I think it balances out maybe,” said Payne.
Once all the balls were gone and frisbees collected, the crowd hit the streets in search of local deals.
“We’re going to visit all of the places these ping pongs and frisbees are for,” said Payne.
Each ball had a different deal to one of the 36 businesses participating, and folks had to visit the store to see what was in store.
It’s all in an effort to keep money spent in the area, close to home.
“You have to keep it in the community because if you don’t the big business will take over and there won’t be a community,” said Raab.
For places like Elegantz, which stocks its shelves with the work of area artists, “its kind of two-fold, they know they’re coming here to shop local; but they’re also servicing local artists,” said owner, Sandy Chapman.
It’s a message shoppers came out to support, including some for the first time.
“We came out just for Small Business Saturday, we’ve never walked up and down main street. It’s beautiful and we have great weather. And we’re enjoying spending money today,” said Daphne Grim, visiting from Pennsylvania.
“And it’s continued to grow. I think its going to be a tradition for a lot of people,” added Chapman.
Figures show there are nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States, which employs 55% of all U.S. workers.
