By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
As shoppers gear up for the holiday season, North Attleborough’s small businesses are preparing for one of the year’s most publicized retail events—Small Business Saturday.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, Massachusetts is home to 722,819 small businesses, representing 99.5% of all businesses in the state. For many local shop owners, the day offers both a welcome boost in visibility and a reminder of the role independent businesses play in the community.
At The Preservation Framer – a one-stop shop for custom picture framing, digital restoration and printing – owner Matt Slobogan said the day serves as an annual nudge for residents to think local.
“It’s nice to see a focus on small business, and it is a good reminder for people to continue to support small businesses,” he said.
Slobogan’s shop typically sees a modest increase in foot traffic, with customers gravitating toward handmade gifts and ready-made frames. While the business doesn’t run special promotions, staff use social media and email to remind customers of the upcoming day.
Slobogan believes awareness of Small Business Saturday has grown, but that visibility for local shops should extend beyond a single weekend.
“It’s not so much a need for a day, but a need for more small businesses in general to get visibility all year round,” he said. “Small, independent businesses are the heartbeat of the community.”
Marisa Head, owner of Marisa’s Skin Care at 844 E. Washington St., described the day with similar appreciation, calling it “like an early holiday gift wrapped in community love.” For her mother-and-daughter-run spa, the occasion underscores the relationships they’ve built with local clients.
“It’s not just a shopping day for us – it’s a big, grateful hug from the community we adore,” said Head.
While she prepares for additional visitors to her shop each year, Head said turnout can be difficult to predict. Competing with big-box pricing, she added, is not the goal. Instead, her focus is on offering personalized care, genuine guidance and “that ‘we actually know you’ experience.”
During the broader holiday shopping weekend, Marisa’s Skin Care offers its annual Gratitude Sale, offering $25 back for customers who spend $100. Head said it has become a tradition for clients who who make purchases online or in person.
As for awareness of the event itself, Head believes most customers understand its purpose, even as many shoppers gravitate towards online deals.
“Knowing our clients still choose us for the care, connection and trust we’ve built over the years – that means more than any sale ever could,” she said.
Both business owners emphasized the importance of shopping local throughout the year. Slobogan pointed to the unique products, services and customer service only small shops can provide, and Head highlighted the personal investment behind her family-run skin care salon.
“We’ve built this place with our own hands and hearts, and we pour our souls into serving the women of our community,” said Head. “Everything we do is personal, and that’s exactly what makes it special year round.”
Slobogan echoed that sentiment, adding he hopes that Small Business Saturday helps new customers discover what local businesses can offer.
“We’ve always wanted customers to shop with us because we are the better option – not just because we are local and small,” he said. “We hope that Small Business Saturday can help new customers find us and become lifelong patrons.”