Black Friday may be known for its deals on merchandise, but participating often comes with the cost of waking up at the crack of dawn, battling long lines and racing to beat other shoppers as items are snatched from shelves in a frenzy.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, downtown Niles businesses will offer a chance for people to shop and support local businesses without as much of the mayhem associated with Black Friday.
To help local artists get their names out to customers, Niles business owner John Crothers, who operates Resurrections Unique Home Furnishings, at 227 E. Main St. will feature the work of 17 artists across the Michiana area on Small Business Saturday. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 26 and from 1 to 3 p.m. on that Saturday, artists will meet with customers and talk with them about the work on display. Many of the artists’ items can already be found on Crothers’ store shelves or decorating Resurrection’s walls.
“It is pretty unique,” Crothers said. “We get a lot of people talking about Christmas presents and it is something you are not likely to get from somebody else. Everything is one of a kind. It is a good chance to get a unique gift that is not massed produced.”
Edwardsburg artist Lois Miller makes jewelry that is cut from assortments of china, creating unique pendants in shades of blue, red and white. Her jewelry takes up a table near the checkout desk at Resurrections.
Resurrections will also feature the work of Niles artist Katie Peterson, whose rendering of a horse draws the eye to the wall where it hangs.
Another Niles artist, Neil Benham, creates unique wooden bowls. The bowls, which come in an array of sizes, adorn a dining room table in the center of the store.
Small Business Saturday at Resurrections will be a unique opportunity to get to talk with the people who made the stuff that people will be buying, Crothers said. It is a chance, he said, is just not likely if a person buys a gift at a mall.
The artistic items range in price from $2 cards to $700 paintings, with everything in between.
As a photographer and the creator of a number of hand made and quirky signs sold at his business, Crothers said he is well aware of the challenges that many artists face when trying to make a living.
“Sometimes the hardest part is just finding ways to get their name out to the public,” Crothers said. “And opportunities like this offer a chance.”
Crothers is from Vandalia, Michigan, but said he was drawn to open his business in downtown Niles because of the city’s aim to help promote small business. His store opened in June and since then he said he has been happy with the different ways that Niles tries to help bring people to explore downtown businesses including the summer car shows, Hunter Ice Festival and Third Thursdays.
Since he has been open, Crothers said that he has enjoyed getting to know the other business owners.
“We have got some good stores down here,” Crothers said.
He said he encourages people to take the time to come to downtown Niles and check out all that local businesses have to offer on Nov. 26.
“It supports the local community and it support artists which is not always the easiest career to make a living in,” Crothers said.