Milledgeville businesses prepare for ‘Small Business Saturday’

For the last two years, Shannon Stuart has sold gifts, ornaments, knick-knacks, and t-shirts. 

Her business, The Lemon Tree, is just as whimsical on the inside as the name implies. 

“Really a little bit of everything. A lot of jewelry and of course sorority stuff is here too,” Stuart said. 

There are candles, signs with inspirational quotes, even something called a “Snoozie” for sale.

Stuart, who recently moved the business to this storefront in downtown Milledgeville, says when the holidays begin, foot traffic can be hard to anticipate. 

“We really try to have a unique offering of merchandise, we don’t want you to see the same thing in every gift store,” she said. 

So she and many other businesses are taking part in ‘Small Business Saturday’, an annual day for small shops around the country to get an extra boost during the holiday season.

“Instead of going online and going to your big box stores, support your local community and your hometown shops that are your friends, your family, your neighbors, and put the money back into our local community.”

Ansley Burgamy with the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce, adds local shops are offering unique deals. 

“All of the businesses in the community are going to put special deals and gift baskets together and offer all kinds of excellent deal,” Burgamy said. 

It’s an experience, Stuart says she takes personally….spending countless hours in her store. 

 

“I’m in here everyday, so I know my customers and I appreciate when they shop with us not just on ‘Small Business Saturday’ but all year,” Stuart said. 

Stuart and The Lemon Tree along with countless other businesses around middle Georgia will be open next weekend for ‘Small Business Saturday.’