TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP -- Mom and pop shops in our area banded together to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
JR's Hallmark sits in the Towne Plaza just outside the borough of Tunkhannock. Inside, people were browsing for cards and gifts for the Christmas season.
Family owned and operated since 1988, JR's Hallmark knows a thing or two about Small Business Saturday.
Casey Sickler tells Newswatch 16 this is one of the store's busiest weekends all year thanks to the effort to shop local.
"We are locally owned and operated. We buy a lot of things in the USA. We have some artesian jewelry, different unique stuff," Sickler said.
The store is one of two locally owned and operated Hallmark stores in our area. They say that gives them that the advantage when it comes to customers.
"They collect Hallmark ornaments. Whatever collectible they are looking for, we know what they want, and that's an important part of shopping local is we are able to know our customers. They become like family," said Sickler.
The store is filled with Christmas cards and seasonal decorations.
Sickler says Small Business Saturday shines a light on smaller businesses during the holiday shopping season.
"This is part of our town, part of our community, so it's important to shop local before you go to the big stores," Sickler added.
Even though Small Business Saturday only lasts for one day, businesses hope people spend more time and money at their stores year round.