Shoppers looking for deals over the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend were encouraged to transition from Black Friday big name stores to Small Business Saturday.
The American Express credit card company started the annual sales pitch event in 2010 as a response to the ongoing recession at the time. The U.S. Small Business Administration has since endorsed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a time for the country’s estimated 36-million independent store owners and service providers to aggressively promote themselves.
“It’s always small business day in North Park,” said Matt Nault, a board member with the North Park Main Street volunteer-based, 501(c)(6) non-profit organization.
The group represents many of the businesses up and down University Avenue and along 30th street the heart of the neighborhood’s shopping district.
“All of these businesses are run by amazing people. They would be wonderful on their own, and when we gather them together collectively it increases the power and impact of that.”
The Saint Cocó Coffee Bar at 3918 Arizona Street is owned by Carlos and Jordan Sanchez.
Their small business opened just eight weeks ago. It’s a family business starting with the name. It honors the late grandmother of a best friend in Tijuana.
“His grandma famously was named Coco. So, he always thought of her as a saint. Whenever he really desired something, he would pray to Saint Coco,” Carlos said. In 2019, that same friend started the Saint Coco Coffee Bar franchise in Tijuana.
Prayers and perseverance turned the couple’s dream into reality when they decided to open the first franchise north of the Mexican border.
The hard work has really just begun.
Jordan Sanchez told NBC 7, “(It is great) to be able to work extensive hours for yourself rather than for somebody else. Right now it’s like our newborn baby. We eat, breathe, and sleep the coffee shop.”
Her husband said, “whenever you walk into a big named coffee shop sometimes you can feel just like a number or an order. We want to give the full specialty coffee experience. It’s about creating a community.”
A few blocks east on University Avenue, Daniell Shirazi runs a dog bakery and pet supply store. She and her mother, Loree, own the Original Paw Pleasers. Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29) marked the 33rd anniversary of the store that survived the COVID shutdown and continues to provide personal service to customers.
All of these businesses are run by amazing people. They would be wonderful on their own, and when we gather them together collectively it increases the power and impact of that.
Matt Nault, Board member with North Park Main Street
“Now people have different circumstances. They don’t have the money or they’re not sure if they have a paycheck coming in. So, we have pivoted from their want to needs,” said Loree Shiraz.
“Honestly we care. I know there are other places out there they can go shop. But, personally I don’t think they care as much as we do,” Daniell said.
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