To the Editor,
We, at Craftworks, your local Brick and Mortar craft fair and local yarn shop would like to thank the community for your overwhelming support over Thanksgiving weekend. To see so many of you come out to support us was amazing and just warmed our hearts to no end, even brought some to tears! This has given us the energy to continue the battle. Many small businesses, us included need a strong holiday season if we are going to be here next year, due to the financial hit we have taken from the pandemic.
Black Friday has traditionally been a day that big box stores and on-line businesses dump a whole lot of money into advertising and slash prices beyond words to entice you to spend your hard-earned dollar with them. Last year, major retailers spent just over a quarter of a billion dollars on Black Friday ads alone. By contrast, the average small business spends a mere $400 per month on marketing, according to a Chamber of Commerce survey.
What the big boxes/ internet businesses do not do is help the community they service. Small business is what carries the area. We know people by name, your neighbors and your friends, and are there for you when you ask for donations and support for your school, church and civic groups.
In-person store limits have slowed down the hustle-and-bustle of the shopping day, but some shoppers told us they are less frantic and are able to enjoy the experience more, either in-store, virtually via Zoom (personalized shopping) or online with shipping or curbside pick-up.
Thank you all and we wish you a wonderful, blessed holiday season!
Ande Lockwood, owner
Craftworks
Artisan Gifts. Classes & Yarn
243 W Main St., Northborough
