Downtown Ironton was busy for Small Business Saturday this weekend, with deals at every turn as well as several activities sponsored by Ironton aLive for the day.

“We had cookies at the Transit station, Boy Scout Troop 106 making s’mores at the Farmers Market, Santa Claus at the City Center and a trolley taking people from downtown to Ironton Hills Plaza where there were cookies at Merle Norman’s,” Sam Heighton, executive director of Ironton aLive, said. “This is our fourth year doing Small Business Saturday.”

Ironton aLive also had its passport program going, where shoppers could stop at 10 listed businesses and get them initialed for a chance to win Ironton Bucks. “I think Small Business Saturday is a really great opportunity for people to see what Ironton has to offer,” Ginger Gillenwater, Ironton aLive chair, said. “With our passport program, even if people don’t buy anything, it gives them a chance to go to the different businesses and see what they have.”

Businesses on the passport included Unger’s Shoes, Marco’s Pizza, Ironton Holiday Inn Express, Giovanni’s, A New You, CNS Guns, Rent-2-Own, Dick’s Music Shop, Allyn’s Jewlers, Keyway Automotive, The Barker Shop, Iron City Hardware, Central Hardware, The End Zone, A Touch of Grace, Merle Norman, McCauley Furniture, Deb Barker Skin Care Director, American Agoge, Preferred Fitness, Boo’s Donut Shop, Peddler’s, World Thrift, Awards Plus Tees, Travel Dreamz, Spare Time, Charlie’s Tire Sales, River Cities Wireless and Call’s Curiosity Shop.

“Small Business Saturday is critical for small businesses for no other reason than it makes people aware of how important small businesses are for the community,” Joe Unger, owner of Unger’s Shoes, said. “It helps people to remember all that small businesses do for a community and brings that awareness out.”

For small businesses, Small Business Saturday really makes a difference.

“It really helps small businesses in Ironton. We’ve had a lot of people stop by today,” Benny Call, owner of Call’s Curiosity Shop, said. “If more people would shop small, we would do better.”

Tim Hackworth, owner of Touch of Grace, said Small Business Saturday gets people downtown.
“It brings downtown back to life, seeing new and old familiar faces,” he said. “We’ve been busy ever since we opened the door at 9 a.m.”

Paul Mollett, who owns Dick’s Music Shop and Downtown Emporium, which is located in the back of the store, with his wife, said small businesses kind of rely on Small Business Saturday.

“We always look forward to this day because business really picks up,” he said. “Small businesses appreciate all of the support we can get.”

The drawing for the passport winners is set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 during an Ironton aLive Christmas concert featuring the Campbell Chapel Choir at the Ironton City Center. The first place winner will receive $300 in Ironton Bucks, second place $200 in Ironton Bucks and third place $125 in Ironton Bucks. Ironton Bucks can be used at downtown Ironton businesses.