BANGOR, Maine — A week and a half ago, 27 small businesses participated in Small Business Saturday in Downtown Bangor. It was a chance to promote products and attract new customers.
That day was the start of the busiest time of the year for shoppers, but the holiday season may be more important for the stores you buy from.
Jamie Clark owns The Willie Wags, a store that sells holiday decor during the holiday season. She knows all too well how big this month is.
“30 sometimes 40 percent of their annual sales in the last quarter of the year so it can make or break for retail. Especially for small businesses," Clark said.
Down the street, at The Rock and Art Shop, Annett Dodd said she understands the same feeling.
“If you don’t make it at Christmas, you don’t make it. The holiday season is so important to retail," she said.
Small business in Bangor has been growing exponentially the past five years, according to Downtown Coordinator Betsy Lundy.
Businesses in the area share the sentiment that growth was made possible in part by the small businesses working together. The stores in Bangor said they understand the importance of combining forces for marketing and promotional ideas.
“A lot of quiet voices all become one big loud voice and consumers only have to look to one spot to see what’s going on," Annie Lane a Business Advisor for the Maine Small Business Development Center said.