Southport Magazine

Seth Robbins of Island Spas; Paige Brown of Color Me Carolina; Pamela Sexton of Cattail Cottage; Penny Watkins of Boo & Roo’s; Missy and Ron Ronquillo of Pescado Y Amor; Hilary Meehan of Lantana’s Gallery and Fine Gifts; Johnna Jalot of Four Legs Good Pet Boutique; Gail Anastasio of Anastasio’s Stained Glass Studio; and Laurie Oliver of Magnolia Gifts are local shop owners who will be offering special deals for Small Business Saturday, which will be November 30th. Photo by Bethany Turner

While many big-box stores and websites slash prices each Black Friday (often times even opening on Thanksgiving), local businesses have found a way to compete for the coveted holiday dollar.

Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, actually was founded in 2010 by the credit giant American Express. Regardless of its origins, it is a force for good. In the past three years—especially through AMEX’s ability to nationally promote the new shopping day—Small Business Saturday has become a household name. Folks are being more conscious about how and where they spend their money year-round, and it’s paying off for their communities. Many shop owners in our area said the 2012 holiday spending was higher in comparison to previous years, despite the winter being a notoriously quiet season in Southport and Oak Island.

“When you shop at your local businesses, not only are you positively impacting your community, but also the lives of your friends and neighbors,” Pamela Sexton, the owner of Cattail Cottage, a home décor and fine gift shop, expresses.

The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is rallying to spread the word about Small Business Saturday, which will take place this year on November 30th.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the economy,” Karen Sphar, Executive Vice President for the chamber, urges. She says there is a multitude of reasons to support the local shopkeepers, restaurateurs, and service providers. It often boils down to the relationship cultivated between the staff and customers.

“Local small businesses are owned by your friends and neighbors, so if you have any issues with the product or service they will work harder to please their friend or neighbor. Owners will work hard to earn and keep your business,” Sphar begins.

“Local small businesses are usually aware of the latest news and happenings in the town, city or area. They support the little leagues, schools, and non-profits with donations year-round. They offer employment opportunities for the younger and older generations. And they often rehabilitate older buildings, thereby investing in the character of a city.”

From our region, many consumers travel to Wilmington or Myrtle Beach for much of their shopping, though many items can be found in-town. Aside from filtering dollars through the big-box stores and up to CEO’s who don’t live here, shoppers are literally moving funds out of our economy. “Using local small businesses saves fuel and produces less emissions by not traveling to the metropolitan areas,” Sphar notes.

Perhaps most importantly, as Sphar tells, “Local small businesses are like ‘Cheers’—where everyone knows your name.” It’s hard to beat the feeling of venturing into a favorite shop or restaurant and having the owner ask about your family or job. There’s a personal touch that can’t be found through online shopping or even through a big-box cashier.

Paige Brown of Oak Island Accommodations; Margaret Rudd Bishop of Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®; and Tom McAndrews of Bella Cucina joined Southport Magazine for a special ‘Shop Small Saturday’ photo shoot designed to promote local businesses. Photo by Bethany Turner

While getting to know the owners in our region is a wonderful perk—helping keep their businesses afloat is an added bonus. Small Business Saturday can make a huge difference, as the holiday season can represent 20 to 40 percent of annual sales for some retailers, according to the National Retail Foundation. “Holiday sales are crucial for small businesses,” Penny Watkins, the owner of Boo & Roo’s, a fine gift shop in Southport, tells. “These sales will determine if stores will continue to stay open.”

When the holidays come around, shopping locally for gifts is like exploring a treasure trove in search of the perfect gem. Discovering an original present for a loved one is a heartwarming feeling, something that can rarely be replicated by clicking “Add to Cart.”

“Local small businesses offer unique and sometimes one-of-a-kind gifts,” Sphar adds. “Nothing better than someone opening their present and saying, ‘I have never seen that before—where did you get it?'”

This year, we’ve culled many of the specials being offered by local businesses so readers can navigate Small Business Saturday with ease. We hope you’ll support the shops and restaurants that make our neighborhood unique, and look to our small service providers for expertise within our coastal environment. These specials are only good for one day: Saturday, November 30th. Be sure to head out early to snag the best picks! And please, consider making your purchases with cash. We may be grateful to American Express for founding Small Business Saturday—but credit-card fees for owners really add up!

SHOPS

The Adventure Kayak Company
807 N. Howe St., Southport
454-0607 • www.theadventurecompany.net
All in-stock kayak life jackets 20% off (ranging from $30 to $130).

Anastasio’s Stained Glass Studio
420 N. Howe St., Southport • 363-4678
Free stained glass angel with every $40 purchase (can be used as an ornament or a gift).

Backyard Wild
105 E. Brown St., Southport
457-9453 • www.backyardwild.net
All bird feeders 15% off.

Boo & Roo’s
303 N. Howe St., Southport
363-4275 • www.boooandroos.com
A never-before offered 15% off all in-stock Spartina 449 (9 a.m. to noon only).

Bullfrog Corner
101 E. Moore St., Southport
454-9300 • www.bullfrogcornerinc.com
20% off any one item

Carolina Jewelry Exchange
701 N. Howe St., Southport – Clock Tower Bldg
457-5800 • www.carolinajewelryex.com
15% off all Michael Kors watches & sunglasses.

Cattail Cottage
122 N. Howe St., Southport
454-4533 • www.cattailcottagenc.com
All Christmas garden flags on sale. Regualar price: $12.50; sale price: $9.95

The Christmas House
104 W. Moore St., Southport • 457-5166
Take $1 off per pound of Salt Water Taffy. 48 flavors to choose from with free gift box. Regular price: $4.99/lb.; sale price: $3.99/lb.

Color Me Carolina
300 Country Club Dr., Oak Island
933-4532 • facebook.com/ColorMeCarolina
Black and white Oak Island lighthouse ornament. Reg. price: $19.99; sale price: $12.99.

CP Gunworks
5008 E. Oak Island Dr., Ste. 1, Oak Island
933-4844 • www.cpgunworks.com
Buy a pistol and receive a free Uncle Mike’s holster.

Deborah’s Place
114 N. Howe St., Southport • 457-0921
All scarves 50% off.

Four Legs Good Pet Boutique
301 N. Howe St., Southport
457-0115 • www.fourlegsgoodboutique.com
25% off Tuffy Toys. Regular price: $10.99-24.99; sale price: $8.24-$18.74.

Franklin Square Gallery
130 E. West St., Southport
508-7145 • www.franklinsquaregallery.com
Soup bowls handmade by local artists. Regular price: $15; sale price: $10.

The Grape & Ale
8521 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island
933-4384 • www.thegrapeandale.com
Govino Go Anywhere Wine Glasses, set of 4, 10% off.

Howe Outrageous Art Gallery
307 N. Howe St., Southport
363-4811 • www.howeoutrageous.com
Turned wood Christmas ornament by Brad Forrest. Price: $30, buy one get one 50% off.

Lantana’s Gallery & Fine Gifts
113 S. Howe St., Southport
457-0957 • www.lantanasgallery.com
Spend over $75 on MacKenzie Childs and receive a free Mackenzie Childs gift.

Magnolia Gifts and Antiques
301 N. Howe St., Southport • 457-4982
Sunlilly sunglasses with case, 50% off. Regular price: $19.99; sale price: $9.99.

Oak Island Sporting Goods
8800 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island • 278-9872
15% off large crab pots with rebar. Regular price: $49.95; sale price: $42.46.

The Painted Mermaid
1208 N. Howe St., Southport • 454-4549 • www.facebook.com/ThePaintedMermaid
Free $50 bottle opener with $50 purchase.

Seaside with Coffee
8017 E. Oak Island Dr., Oak Island • 278-4436 • www.facebook.com/SeasideWithCoffee
Free $50 bottle opener with $50 purchase.

Silver Coast Winery Tasting Room
105 S. Howe St., Southport
777-5151 • www.silvercoastwinery.com
50% off Wine Club membership fee. Regular price: $20; special price: $10.

Southport Tea Room
611 N. Howe St., Southport
833-0227 • www.southportteahouse.com
All loose teas 30% off when buying three or more ounces of one of 30 gourmet teas. Regular price: $4; sale price: $2.80 per ounce.

Uncorked by the Sea Wine Shop & Gallery
602 N. Howe St., Southport
454-0633 • www.uncorkedbythesea.com
30% off All Primitives by Kathy Signs

RESTAURANTS

Baked with Love
302 N. Howe St., Southport • 454-0044
Buy one meal and get a free cookie

Bella Cucina: Seafood-Pasta-Pizza
5177 Southport-Supply Rd. SE, Southport
454-4540 • www.belladiningnc.com
10% off pasta lunch and dinner entrées.

Dry Street Pub and Pizza
101 E. Brown St., Southport
457-5994 • www.drystreetpubandpizza.com
Buy any full-size sandwich and get a free cup of soup.

Oasis Bar and Grill
8039 River Rd. SE, Southport
454-4004 • www.southportoasis.com
Reuben and hand-cut French fries, $6.95.

Quizno Subs – Local Franchise!
5130 Southport-Supply Rd., Southport
457-4638 • www.quiznos.com
Small Mesquite Chicken sub for $3.50. Regular price: $4.99.

StarrCakes
200 Country Club Dr., Ste. E, Oak Island
512-8881 • www.starrcakes.com
Half-dozen cupcakes, any flavor, $3 off. In-shop only; doesn’t apply to special orders.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

Cooper Electric
Southport, 363-4398
20% off any new service call received by 11/30; good for 60 days.

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS®
1023 & 112 N. Howe St., Southport
457-5258 • www.MargaretRudd.com
Receive a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis and listing-price strategy for your home.