Small business owners ready for post-holiday rebound

PERRYSBURG — Now that the holidays are behind us, many small business owners are hoping they're not forgotten by shoppers.

It is not uncommon to see a lull in business after Christmas -- some might even call it a holiday hangover.

"Normally I'm open six days a week, Monday through Saturday but in January and February, I'm closed Sunday and Monday," said Ann Elick, who owns Bettyanne's Things Worth Repeating in Perrysburg.

Small businesses, retailers in particular, are now dealing with a post-holiday slowdown.

"Late January and February (it's) slow. But then in February, March it gets better," said Jolle Afsar, the owner of Gypsie Soul, also in Perrysburg.

Both business owners are looking forward to business picking up again -- they're also reminding shoppers of the benefits their stores offer.

Afsar references the hands-on style of business provided at her women's fashion boutique.

"It's a relationship thing," she says. "When you go to a department store, you don't get that personal relationship vibe. People aren't there to really help you pick something out. They'll tell you (that) you look good in anything. Here we're honest."

Across the street, Elick sells custom pieces out of her shop.

"If you want something that's really unique you have to shop local," she says.

"It's not just about shopping as it is a family thing," Afsar adds.

According to the Civic Economics Study (Grand Rapids, MI), for every $100 spent at a small business, $68 goes back into the local economy. The same study says only $43 of every $100 spent at a larger businesses stays local.