BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Local shops have been preparing most of the year for Small Business Saturday.
Supply chain shortages have forced some to pivot operations to make sure their shelves are stocked.
The day before Small Business Saturday, HobbyTown in Ashwaubenon was buzzing with people.
Owner Andy Roever says the store had a line outside before opening its doors Friday morning.
“We haven’t seen a line here in a few years. And it’s been just great that we have people ready to come in. Just testament to our customers and hopefully that people recognize that the small businesses in the town and what we provide.”
Roever says he started preparing for Small Business Saturday in April.
“We’ve been buying early, buying often from our suppliers and understanding what the challenges we were going to have and what the consumer was going to have so we’ve been ready for this pretty much since Memorial Day that we’ve had product in the store ready to go for this specific day.”
Roever said he had to reallocate some funds so the store could buy supplies earlier.
“This was an unbelievably early and expensive summer compared to usual October, November when we do our purchasing. We were doing that purchasing in May, June and so that budget was pushed out then.”
Sarah Hickey, co-owner of Hey Daisy and Definitely De Pere board member says she thinks it’s easier for small businesses to adapt.
“Which makes it for local people to come find the things that they need easier because we can change what we do quickly and kind of pivot faster than some of the bigger stores so it hasn’t been a huge issue for us.”
Hickey says the store was fortunate to bounce back after COVID.
“It’s just important to remember that if the people who live here don’t shop with the stores that are here, they’re not going to be here.”
According to the National Federation of Independent Business, about 50 percent of people who’ve already started shopping for the holidays have experienced supply chain issues.
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