Mystic Businesses Report Successful Small Business Saturday

This past Small Business Saturday meant success for most businesses in the Mystic and Stonington region.

“There was a lot of activity in both Olde Mistick Village and in Downtown Mystic throughout the weekend and especially on Saturday. I saw many more businesses promoting Small Business Saturday this year through social media,” said Tricia Cunningham, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.

“Our business was up two and a half times compared to last year on Small Business Saturday. That really helps make up for the two slow weeks after the hurricane,” said Donna Williston, owner of Finer Line Gallery located on West Main Street in Mystic. 

For Bank Square Books further down on West Main Street, Small Business Saturday meant the start of new beginnings. Due to damage from Hurricane Sandy, the store was closed for the installation of a new floor. 

“Small business Saturday was great. it was better than last year. I think people were really happy that we reopened,” said owner Annie Philbrick, who added that “we did three times better than a good day in the summer...It’s great to be selling books after being out of business for three weeks.” 

Small Business Saturday was launched by American Express in 2010 as, “a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.” 

Wendy Bury, chairman of the Stonington Borough Merchants Association, said Small Business Saturday is about shopping local.

“Shopping local becomes much more about community. Strolling and shopping in the small stores and dining in restaurants, saying hello to our neighbors, seeing the kids home from college, chatting with friends, and enjoying the community you live in,” Bury said.