TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The holiday shopping season is in full swing across the country including here in the Big Bend.
With all that money in play, independent businesses are all trying to grab a share of it.
December is here and small businesses want you to remember them as you're checking items off your list.
In fact, those stores may just have something that you can't get anywhere else.
The Other Side Vintage shop is one of the many small businesses in Railroad Square.
The store showcases a variety of unique gifts with a personal touch that you may not get from a big box store.
"Finding these pieces and knowing that this was somebody's grandparents' piece of furniture...someone's Grandma made that in the 40's. Just amazing pieces that blow me away every time I work here," said Kayla Pickron, The Other Side employee.
It's that personal touch that FSU Marketing Professor Maura Scott says makes small businesses stand out so much during the holidays.
"When you think about some of the local businesses here in Tallahassee is...in a way they are offering a different type of value proposition for consumers. Local companies are...building a one-to-one relationship with consumers that some of the big box firms just aren't able to do," said Scott.
That relationship with customers also comes from being a part of the community.
"It's a lot of fun...just getting to help people especially with like big costume events or fashion shows that happen around here. We have a lot of fashion students that come from FAMU and they do shows every so often and it is so much fun," said Pickron.
And the community vibe here in Railroad Square isn't just between stores and their consumers. The shops have each other's backs.
If somebody asks where they can get more incense even though we sell some here we send them to Athena's or Crystal Portal or somewhere else to just help bring more awareness to other shops," said Pickron.
All working together hoping to see dollar signs this holiday season.
One more thing that small businesses are asking you to do pay with cash if you can.
Those fees charged by the credit card companies can cut into a small business profit.
