FORTVILLE — This weekend is the biggest shopping weekend across the country, and for small businesses across the country, this weekend is make or break for their business.
“Small Business Saturday is really huge for studio 9.4.9, and we're not really sure what to anticipate this year,” said Mary Buchmeier, she owns Studio 9.4.9in Fortville.
She says this is normally their biggest weekend.
“We're really normally excited we have, like you know, a huge open house and hot cider and all that, and of course this year, we're not going to do any of that,” said Buchmeier.
To combat the pandemic, she’s made her boutique available online.
“My goal was never really to be an online boutique. I like women coming in, and you know being able to try on, and that's putting an entire outfit together, but with COVID-19, it's really impacted us to go online,” said Buchmeier.
Right next door, Allison Rose is getting ready for what she hopes is a big weekend at her shop, Time and Again.
“It's been nice to be able to be open and see if it even though I can't see their whole face is it nice to see my customers again,” said Rose.
She urges shoppers to skip the big box stores this weekend and shop small.
“You're not necessarily going to find what you're going to find in a store versus online, plus you get the personal experience,” said Rose.
And both store owners say this month is make or break for their business.
“Come shop Fortville, yeah. Come see us. It's a sink or swim situation for us, especially because of COVID. There are a lot of us that are really worried that we aren’t going to make it past Christmas. I can speak honestly for myself, and I can speak honestly for several people on the street we're worried, so we would love to see all of our customers come out and support even if they can’t come in do it online,” said Rose.
