Bellingham Small Business Community Invites Residents to Shop Local this Holiday Season

The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is encouraging residents to shop locally and support the community's small business owners on a designated day: Shop Small Saturday.

This year's celebration takes place in downtown Bellingham, where 55 retail stores will be participating in the event. The shopping extravaganza will kick off at 11am and wrap up at 8pm on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.

The Downtown Bellingham Partnership is promoting Shop Small Saturday as an opportunity for locals to get their holiday shopping done while keeping money within the community. According to Nathalie Wagler, community engagement manager at the partnership, supporting local businesses not only strengthens the economy but also keeps our community vibrant and unique.

"We want to make sure that local businesses thrive," said Wagler. "Their impact goes beyond just economic growth; it's about creating a sense of community."

The event is open to all small businesses in downtown Bellingham, regardless of whether or not they're listed in the partnership's retail guide. Some participating stores have already announced special holiday deals, including Backcountry Essentials, Fringe Boutique, and MW Soap Works.

"Shopping locally has a ripple effect on our economy," said CJ Seitz, an advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Western Washington University. "It keeps money circulating within the community, which ultimately makes our local businesses stronger."

Rhiannon Troutman, owner of Fringe Boutique, emphasized the importance of holiday shopping for small businesses. Due to the rising cost of goods and minimum wage, many small businesses rely heavily on the holiday season to bring in revenue.

"This is a make-or-break time for us," Troutman said. "We're thrilled to be part of Shop Small Saturday and can't wait to see all the excitement downtown."

Fringe Boutique will be partnering with Genny's Costume Closet, an online vintage clothing store based in Bellingham, to bring a rack of vintage items on sale during the event.

Meanwhile, Fringe Boutique is also hosting a pop-up with Urban Treasury, another local retail store. The pop-up will coincide with the kick-off of holiday festivities and feature unique gifts and treats.

Local residents are encouraged to come out and show their support for small businesses in downtown Bellingham. As Wagler said, "It feels like a big, warm hug, honestly, with all of the people who come down to support local businesses...It impacts everyone because it's not just shopping; it's about spending time together and making memories."