Wyandotte Shops Offer Sales, Specials for Small Business Saturday

On the day after one of the busiest shopping days of the year known as Black Friday, owners of small, independent shops are hoping that customers are just as anxious to head out the next day with credit cards or cash in hand.

Small Business Saturday aims to promote the "shop local" idea, with the intention of fueling money back into local economies by offering customers a choice to spend their money at places other than national retail chains.

"Small Business Saturday is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.," the project's Facebook page says.

worked for years as a manager for a national retail chain and said Black Friday was always the depressing part of the Thanksgiving holiday. Now as , Rinna is her own boss and can decide, as she’s done for the first time this year, to close on Thursday and Friday and reopen to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

“Why would you want to go and be rushed through the stores without getting personal attention when you can go to a small business and focus on them and get all the personal attention that you need,” she said.

The Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority also is behind the idea and is kicking off a holiday-themed giveaway in conjunction with Small Business Saturday.

For the next five weeks, one lucky downtown shopper will be chosen randomly each week . Winners will receive five $20 gift cards.

DDA Director Natalie Rankine said it’s an easy idea that works well in other communities.

“If someone wins gift cards to five places, it gets their foot into stores they wouldn’t normally go to,” she said. “And everybody likes a contest.”

There are three simple rules:

• Follow the DDA on Facebook and Twitter for clues on where and when the prize will be handed out.
• Shop during that time in retail outlets downtown.
• If you’re the lucky one spotted at the right time and the right place, you win.

“We’ll pre determine before going into the store that, say, the third person in line is the winner,” Rankine said.

The first giveaway is set to take place between 3 and 6:30 pm. Saturday. The winner will receive gift cards to , , , and .

“We hope this will get people to get out and shop locally for a chance to win,” Rankine said. “The important thing is shopping locally and not at big box stores.”

Several Wyandotte stores are offering discounts and specials for Small Business Saturday. Here are the ones we were told about. If you find any others while out shopping, add them in the comments below or text them to 734-276-9722.

Merchandise throughout the entire store is on some type of promotion. Specifically, dresses are 30 percent off and jewelry and purses are 20 percent off.

4 Her also is running a Patch Deal where you can buy $100 worth of in-store merchandise for $50. The deal must be purchased online today, but the store credit is good through April 30, 2012.

The business is offering a free $10 iTunes gift card with a $50 purchase. Customers who spend $1,199 will receive either a free cruise for two or a hotel package, including a $50 Visa gift card.

The gallery is giving $50 off interior design and feng shui consultation, along with 10 percent off all custom framing.

The store is offering a 10 percent discount on vitamins and supplements with a $20 purchase. A coupon is required and can be downloaded off the store's website.

The store is offering free delivery within 25 miles.

The store is offering a free gift with every purchase.