BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – As one of the biggest shopping days of the year approaches, business owners in the Baton Rouge and Denham Springs area say community support will be critical for their success this holiday season.
Several merchants told WAFB they’re preparing for Black Friday crowds and hopeful shoppers will choose to visit local stores rather than shop online.
Aimee Doughty, owner of Mayfield’s Mercantile in the Denham Springs Antique Village, said the in-person experience is what makes the season special.
“You could sit on your couch in your pjs and shop all day but there’s a magic that comes with walking into a store, seeing, buying, tasting, there’s so much fun to have in Denham’s Antique Village,” Doughty said.
She said continuous community support has helped her business celebrate five years in the Antique Village.
“Your support is so critical to all of our local merchants and every time you come in and you support us, it makes a difference for our families,” she said.
Jan Nelson, who works at Mothers and Daughters nearby, said she’s excited to see customers for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
“We’re looking forward to seeing all of our local customers and welcoming in some new ones too,” Nelson said.
The National Retail Federation expects shoppers nationwide to spend an all-time high of $1 trillion this holiday season.
Liz Hart, also with Mothers and Daughters, said she hopes some of that spending stays in the community.
“People have a place to go to shop local. They don’t have to go run into Baton Rouge. They can shop right here to get a gift or apparel,” Hart said.
Doughty said all visitors are welcome, whether they’re shopping or just enjoying the atmosphere.
“If we make sales and you come in and buy something, great. But if you just come in and get a bag of popcorn and walk around and listen to the music and feel joy, that’s what this is all about,” she said.
Both businesses will be open for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
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