Business Owners Say There are Plenty of Reasons To Shop Local

Cedar Rapids- Some Black Friday sales start as early as Thursday night. But that following Saturday has been dubbed "shop local Saturday" or "small business Saturday". Some Eastern Iowans are even receiving emails encouraging them to do just that.

Local stores may not be open at midnight on Thanksgiving, and their holiday advertising may be far and few. But that doesn't mean Cedar Rapids businesses like Simply Divine Candy, Halls Bicycle Company and Zins restaurant should be out of the game. "I can customize anything you want, any price you want and the service is so much different," said Melanie Primasing, Owner of Simply Divine Candy. "We have some specials going on, we have some last season bikes that are on closeout specials," said Karl Moscrip, Owner of Hall Bicycle Company.

These local store owners hope you, and your cash, walk through their doors this holiday season, and there are plenty of reasons to do so. "We are comparable on prices," said Primasing. "We have gift cards," said Moscrip. "Why not spend the money and keep it in the community," said Lee Belfield, Owner of Zins.

No matter whose stocking you're filling, they said there's a local gift to give. "You can basically set your own prices on your own combinations, you won't get something in a tower or box you don't want. You set the price and we custom make it for you," said Primasing. "You could give someone snow plowing," said Belfield.

With a weekend ahead of deals, discounts, and door busters, owners said your dollar in their door makes a bigger impact. "The money that you spend here, stays in the community. We pay taxes, we buy here, all of our employees are from the area," said Moscrip.