By Anna Skinner
As big box store shoppers retire Nov. 26 from crowds and nationwide deals, Shop Fishers will begin its initiative. Approximately 20 small businesses in the Nickel Plate District and beyond will open doors earlier than normal, feature discounts or both.
“Shop Fishers is our flavor of Small Business Saturday,” said Casey Cawthon, marketing and public relations manager for the City of Fishers. “We wanted to join forces with small businesses, and we wanted to add our flavor to it. It’s really an opportunity for us to come alongside businesses in the community and encourage residents to learn more about goods and services to buy right here in Fishers. We have everything from salons to fitness places to jewelry places and home décor. We have a wide variety of gifts to purchase, so it’s really just a way for people to invest dollars locally.”
This is the third year for Shop Fishers, and businesses are encouraged to sign up with the city to feature their discounts on the city website.
Tracy Gritter, owner of Gallery 116, encourages residents to not shop at large corporate stores and instead visit her store and others around the area.
“We’ve been in business 15 years, and we promote local artisans. Small Business Saturday is just amazing. It has become the biggest day of the year, which is so incredible when we think about Thanksgiving weekend,” Gritter said. “There’s people that normally might go to the mall or might go to a big box store, and it’s really brought awareness to the community because small businesses are what keep the community going. With big box stores, you’ll get things produced in the masses, and here you’ll get something made by a local artist or a local vendor.”
Small Business Saturday began as an American Express campaign in 2010. Shop Fishers followed suit in 2014 with the creation of the website and encouraging residents to visit the many stores within the city.
“Fishers has just become so vibrant, and there are opportunities for businesses. We are seeing businesses that thrive,” Cawthon said. “I think the more we see successful businesses in Fishers, the younger entrepreneurs want to take that risk. They want to open a business in Fishers and see how the public is receptive and embraces that business.”
Businesses interested in inclusion are encouraged to visit fishers.in.us/shopfishers to apply with the discounts featured on Small Business Saturday. Businesses can sign up until the morning of Nov. 26. An interactive map is available on the website or the Nickel Plate District mobile app for residents to plan their shopping trips.
“The Nickel Plate District is a vibrant destination for local businesses,” Mayor Scott Fadness stated in an email to Current. “Small business owners are able to create unique storefronts that attract business people working in the area and residents living in Fishers, and create a business doing work that they love.”
“They’re going to be vastly different than gifts at big chains, so that makes it a unique holiday experience for everyone,” Cawthon said.
According to American Express, 95 million people shopped at small businesses nationwide.
Local business participating in Shop Fishers
- 1 & Only Fitness
- Allisonville Nursery
- BluePeppermint
- Blush Salon Boutique
- Dottie Couture Boutique
- Endurance House
- Fishers Do It Center
- Gallery 116
- Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
- Lily and Sparrow Boutique
- MJ Layne Jewelry*Home*Décor*Gifts
- Painting with a Twist-Fishers
- Pure Eatery Fishers
- Roman & Leo
- Source Yoga
- Tasteful Times
- The Barre Code Indianapolis
- The Grapevine Cottage
