SUGAR LAND, Texas — With holiday shopping in full swing, several events took place across the Houston area to encourage people to shop locally for Small Business Saturday.
In Sugar Land, it was all about embracing the local spirit at the city’s town square. More than 90 vendors took part in the Vibe Artisan Market, a large-scale event that brings various local artists and small business owners together.
Christina Terry founded and started Vibe Artisan Markets back in 2020 with her husband.
"We're a family-owned business and we want to make sure we're putting all of our efforts and backgrounds into helping these artists,” said Terry.
Terry said their goal is to help artists showcase their work and connect them directly with customers.
It’s an event that vendors like Melisa Eckelbarger and her husband look forward to all year. The two started Clay Cactus Soapery two years ago, inspired by Melisa, a former science teacher, and her love of chemistry and art.
"Most of the time we like coming out here and talking to the people, it's very hard to smell soap through the internet,” they said.
The two shared community support not only keeps businesses like theirs afloat, but it circles back.
"It's always nice to get the support from the community being a small business because the money goes directly into the community, so it's people supporting people,” said Eckelbarger.
According to the Small Business Administration, supporting small businesses boosts local economies and has major public benefits.
It also means a lot to small business owners like Zaycha Mitchell.
"We put a lot of time, work, and dedication so it lets us showcase everything that we have done,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell is the owner of Made by Zaycha, selling hand-made crochet stuffed animals.
A passion of seventeen years she turned to a business four years ago.
She said money shoppers spend in mom-and-pop shops leave a lasting impact.
"It really does help, even in the smallest, a $5 item and $10 item might not mean a lot to a big corporation, but it means a lot here, and all of that adds up to support the small business,” she said.
Small business owners hope the support goes well beyond one day a year.
"We definitely want to encourage people to not just shop small businesses today, but every single day of the year,” said Terry.
If you couldn’t shop at Vibe Artisan Market in Sugar Land, the local artists and businesses featured there will be back next weekend in downtown Houston at Post Houston.
The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.