Local businesses gear up for Small Business Saturday

Deals up to 50 percent off expected in downtown Roanoke stores

ROANOKE, Va.

Many local businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday.

Teresa Kelly is a shopper who loves to shop locally.

“When you go to small stores, you get individual service, they are people that help you, people who care, and you know you're supporting the community,” Kelly said.

For store owners like Dave Oli of Serenity Treasures, Small Business Saturday is serious business.

“We wait for this day all year around,” Oli said.

Oli's sales increased by 15 percent during last year's Small Business Saturday.

“I'm hoping for the same kind of increase this year,” Oli said.

He plans to offer sales up to 50 percent off.

Manager Melissa Keister of Ladyls and Linens Kitchen Shoppe is also counting on a big turnout for her business.

“It's extremely important -- it's probably one of our biggest seven days of the year. It brings in a lot of people from visiting and the local community,” Keister said.

Despite Friday’s packed crowd, sales are expected to double over the weekend.

“It’s going to get crazy,” Keister said.

If you're a shopper, and you're planning to go shopping tomorrow, business owners hope you think "local."