TEXARKANA, Texas – Several local businesses in the Texarkana area are not waiting for Small Business Saturday to offer big deals this year.
From holiday markets to grand openings, small business owners are using Black Friday to help kick off the start of the holiday shopping season.
The 2024 Holiday Expo is offering a unique holiday shopping experience for residents in the Texarkana region.
Organizer Tameka Grady says there’s more than 40 local vendors set up inside the Canvas Special Event Center in the 2100 block of Texas Boulevard.
“They have unique custom items. You can get T-shirts made on the spot, tumblers made on the spot. We got dried, freeze candy. We’ve got some wonderful vendors here, said Grady.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, one in five Americans say they shop at small businesses often, and about 41% of small business owners say they depend on holiday season sales.
The Holiday Expo in Texarkana will also be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“They are ecstatic. They are happy that they have a platform to be able to sell their products on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday,” said Grady.
The nonprofit, We Are Free, has also opened a gift store in Central Mall for the holidays called “Restored.”
The faith-based organization works with survivors of human trafficking. The clients are learning job skills while receiving stipend pay.
All business proceeds are reinvested back into operating the organizations aftercare facility in southwest Arkansas.
The “Restored” gift store will be open until Dec. 31.