Local Businesses Benefit From 'Steady Traffic' On Small Business Saturday

Amie and Chris McCaslin, owners of Main Street Sykesville's newest business , were hard at work Saturday morning greeting customers, answering phones and wrapping gifts.

The shoppers perusing the merchandise, though, weren't just the store's average Saturday customers.

The McCaslins were offering special deals and incentives to bring customers through the door for the second annual Small Business Saturday, a nationwide event that -- in the case of Main Street Sykesville -- seemed to work well, encouraging shoppers to "shop local" the day after Black Friday.

"Traffic's been steady all day today and yesterday so I think it's been a really good turn out," said Chris McCaslin. "It's been great to have the support. We love this area, the town's great, the people are great and we're just really glad to be here."

A few doors down, was attracting customers from across the state and beyond.

"We've been talking about this all afternoon to come down and see this store," said Karen Davis who was visiting her mother in-law at Fairhaven Retirement Community up the road. "My mother in-law has been telling me about it for years and it's the first time we had a chance to get away from the kids and to come and explore."

"We had heard about the Small Business Saturday from where I live in Richmond, VA, and I thought we'd just come and check it out," said Davis.

The quaint bookstore is one of her mother in-law's favorite spots. "I've been in here many times to get things for my grandchildren and I just love it and love the atmosphere that Debbie has made here," said Ann Davis. "The variety she has here is just great."

Richard Gerber, manager of , which moved from Liberty Road to Main Street Sykesville a year ago, said he didn't see much change in traffic on Small Business Saturday.

"It's fine. We've had quite a few people come in but it's been about a normal Saturday, maybe a few more but nothing spectacular," said Gerber.

Mary Martin, owner of said her preparation in getting the word out about her specials paid off this year.

"It's been much better received this year than it was last year," said Martin. "We've been really busy all day. I don't think I had deals last year. This year I advertised more and I promoted it more. I did e-mail blasts and I think getting it out there as much as it was this year has really helped."