Local businesses are banking on people shopping small

Every year, Alex Taralson sets the goal of completing her Christmas shopping by Dec. 1, giving her time to enjoy the sight of brightly wrapped packages under her tree.

This season, she likely will miss Friday’s deadline by a day or two. Another goal will be accomplished, however: to make as many purchases as possible from locally owned shops and restaurants.

Taralson estimates that 75 percent of her shopping this year will fall into that category.

“It doesn’t matter who I shop for — I try to do it all locally,” she said, defining local as businesses that aren’t big-box retailers. “I know some of the restaurants are franchises that are owned locally. I still try to do things that are only in our area. For example, I got a Chef Lance’s gift card for a family member.”

In shopping local, Taralson follows a family tradition of her own.

“I grew up with my parents making it a point to support local businesses,” said Taralson, who is married and expecting her second child in February. “Several of my family members started businesses, and my husband and I own a business in Sioux Falls. It means a lot to keep dollars locally, especially this time of year.”

One chance to support local businesses came last weekend on the traditional Small Business Saturday. Another opportunity is this Saturday at the 605 Made Holiday Market. It will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lower-level parking ramp of the original Cherapa Place office building.

The holiday market, which will feature almost 50 local and area small businesses, is co-organized by Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage and SiouxFalls.Business. Sponsors are The First National Bank in Sioux Falls and Pomegranate Market. It is free to attend.

The vendors who take part hope for a good response to what they bring for both professional and personal reasons. Most importantly, they agree, is that shopping locally promotes a sense of community.

“Everything comes back to community,” said artist Alex Lunstra, owner of A.L. Art & Prints. “All we have is each other. I’d rather be helping support my neighbor doing what they love than going to Walmart. I just did a paint-and-sip class, and that was the difference between covering my mortgage and not being able to; it was that huge.”

Supporting one local business often has a ripple effect. Tail Chasers Pet Services co-owners Darci Golden and Amanda Taylor will bring the treats they make for dogs and cats to the holiday market. With their emphasis on making pet treats with human-quality ingredients, they have shrugged off suggestions they use free scraps from packing plants.

Instead, they source the beef liver that goes into some of their products from another small operator.

“We want to know where our stuff is coming from,” Taylor said. “We’re using another small business out of Dell Rapids.”

The local makers community has welcomed Tail Chasers Pet Services, the women said.

“We were welcomed in this community with open arms,” Taylor said. Added Golden: “The camaraderie between everybody is really nice too. Everybody is always trying to help each other. We’ve learned so much from the other vendors.”

Giselle Chaput started her screen printing and embroidery business, Designing Threads, in the summer of 2020 after the COVID pandemic temporarily shut down her travel agency. Now, she operates both, but she knows some makers rely on what they make for their entire income.

“It’s what some people’s livelihoods are based on, and that’s the American dream, or the North American dream,” she said. “If you’re buying stuff online, you’re not supporting local, then your town gets smaller and smaller. It’s like helping each other out.”

Josilyn Ulvestad of Brookings has been working with her family’s beekeeping operation, Quail Honey, for about 20 years. Her early memories include being in the honey house with her grandfather and father, and she worked there in high school. After college, with student loans to pay, she took on staffing the booth at craft fairs and farmers markets as a second job.

Now, Brandt-based Quail Honey has expanded from offering two sizes of honey to products like body lotion made from honey and goat milk, salve, candy and spun honey.

Ulvestad pays attention to trends when deciding on new products, scents and flavors. She doesn’t copy other producers but makes her own versions to keep the Quail Honey line eye-catching and fresh. This year, she offered pumpkin and chocolate but held off on peach.

“Sometimes, certain honey products do better over the holidays,” Ulvestad said. “I pay attention to that ‘Hey, this one is really popular right now.’”

From earlier festivals and craft shows, Ulvestad knows economic worries are having an impact on people’s spending habits. She generally sees the same size crowds as in the past, but fewer people are carrying bags. Customers also are concerned that vendors are not bringing in new products. That could be because fewer vendors can afford the booth fees if they are unsure of how much income they will bring in, Ulvestad said.

Ulvestad doesn’t hesitate to try something new or to reach out to others. Periodically, she offers honey face masks, and when her caramel-making skills didn’t meet her standards, she reached out to another group. She supplies the honey; they make the caramels. Her products also will be sold at this weekend’s 605 Made Holiday Market.

“If I see something I like at one of those events, I will pick it up for Christmas or someone’s birthday,” Ulvestad said. “I feel like supporting them, especially if they have a very cool product.”