Chamber helps boost Laguna shops on Small Business Saturday
More than 100 Laguna Beach businesses participated in Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s push to encourage shopping at brick-and-mortar retailers during Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.
Businesses offered special deals while a social media contest that asked shoppers to post photos of themselves at the locations garnered nearly 1,000 posts on Instagram and Facebook. Chamber Executive Director Laura Henkels called the contest “a huge success.”
“We saw out-of-town visitors and locals of all ages submitting photos,” Henkels wrote in an email. “We had a lot of fun going out into the community and helping our small business owners across the city to band together and create a citywide, day-long event. We are seeking feedback from business owners and residents and would love to organize events like this on a regular basis throughout the year.”
The Montage Laguna Beach donated an overnight stay with two spa treatments and Tommy Bahama gave away a holiday gift basket. Last year 26 businesses sold raffle tickets for two tickets to the Taste of Laguna, Henkels said.
Entrepreneurs said the event generated positive buzz, but some businesses generated more foot traffic than others.
Julie Jacobs, owner of Little Bohemian children’s clothier on Forest Avenue, told Henkels she had her best sales day on record in more than 15 years involved in the family business.
Laguna Beach Acupuncture owner Anne Davies said Small Business Saturday “created some excitement,” but added that a lot of her customers ordered products or services by phone instead of physically coming to the store. The first Small Business Saturday, trademarked by American Express, took place on Nov. 27, 2010, and encouraged shoppers throughout the U.S. to support small, local establishments. It is held the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
“A few people called up and said they weren’t going to be in town, however they ordered over the phone, such as a gift certificate [for acupuncture treatment], at their next regular appointment,” Davies said.
Business owners can submit feedback to Henkels at laura@lagunabeachchamber.org, and chamber officials will also send a separate survey to owners.
