Inside her California Avenue shop “Salty Savory Sweet Spices and Teas”, amidst the aroma of over 450 different herbs and blends, store owner Lindy Pastor has a theory as to why Reno is in the top 20 for buying gifts at small businesses: "Because Reno went through a really difficult economic time, and so people really became keen to supporting their neighbors."
Empty storefronts from the recession became breeding grounds for vibrant new ideas. After just 5 months, Lindy's store has already found a niche. Customers come in the minute she opens the doors at 10am.
Across town at her Larkellen gift shop on west Plumb, Debi Canfield has the same draw: a small shop that has so many things a chain store doesn't. As she told us, "It’s just an awesome hunt all the time for unique gifts.”
The advantages to shopping local are well known. The owners live here and reinvest and spend all profits locally. But the message here is that there are benefits for you the shopper too. Namely, gifts you really can't find anywhere else…like Tahoe Timber floatable sunglasses. And Nevada hats and sweatshirts. There are candles made from wine bottles, smore-making kits, one of a kind shirts, homemade lighted signs, hard to find outfits...all giving Reno the reputation of having some of the best small business shopping in the country.
A new Yelp/Harris survey found 64% of American adults will shop local this holiday season, over 150 million people. Each will spend an average $258. Data from the Yelp analyzed millions of reviews, focusing on the word "gift", to find the best cities for gifts at local businesses. Reno came in at number 14.
At her Larkellen gift store, customers already seem to know this. As Debi told us, "It’s always good, it's good! I'm over the moon grateful with the support that we've had with Reno." So good, that Debi's mom Mimi also opened her “Stork” baby boutique in the same Arlington Gardens Mall. Mimi told us, "For a new baby, you can come here and buy a baby shower gift...there was a need for it.” How is she doing? “Great. I love it!"
But for many others with small budgets, the season is a make or break period. Holiday shopping makes up about 20% of a store’s sales. It’s a tough battle…but for local shops, the payback on both sides of the counter is much bigger, considering how money kept here has such a positive influence on our local economy. Data from the research firm Civic Economics shows $68 of every $100 spent at a small business stays in the local community, compared with $43 for chain stores.
And if there's one thing that puts small local business way over conglomerate chains, it's the personal service and the fact that you don't have to wait very long to buy your stuff. As Reno’s new spice queen Lindy Pastor told us, “It's relaxing! It does takes a lot of hysteria out of the season." And people say all the time that when they come in here...they just feel good."
You can stay up-to-date on local businesses and find the top reviews for local stores on the Reno Yelp page. Just click the link below:
