TAZEWELL, Va. -After Hannah’s Hometown Boutique got its start this past year, the owner, Hannah Shortridge, began holding events for other small businesses, so far holding one before Christmas and one after.
However, she says these early months of the year are “rough” for local businesses and hoped that by holding this “New Year/Valentine’s Day Market,” she could bring these small vendors the community support they need.
“…after Christmas, you know, everything dies down, so it’s just good to continuously help all year with small businesses… because you know that’s their only way of income, so it helps tremendously to start this time of year,” says Shortridge.
Shortridge says, like hers, many of these businesses are just starting out with many others not having a permanent location to sell their wares.
We spoke to Delores Mullins, the owner of “Granny’s Wreaths and Decor,” who usually set up at the Route 52 Flea Market. She says the cold temperatures this time of year may be another reason business slows, but events like these help them reach customers.
“Well, it brings them out. You have the upcoming businesses that are just starting out like mine’s not even… a little over a year old. So, it does help support us, bring us out, and if some later on down the road that they open up their own actual shop somewhere, and it just helps support them and support our dreams…” says Mullins.
Mullins encourages the community to shop at local businesses, saying that small businesses keep their communities afloat.
Shortridge says she plans to hold another market in the spring. You can find Hannah’s Hometown Boutique on Facebook to keep up to date on when that will be.
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