Small Business Saturday follows damp Friday

PORT CLINTON - While the nonstop rain may have put a damper on Black Friday, locally owned businesses throughout the area are still prepped for Small Business Saturday. The nationwide promotion encourages people to support local business during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

Though it is often hard for many small businesses to match the kind of large discounts offered by the big box stores on Black Friday, at least one locally owned Port Clinton boutique is doing just that.

Belle LaRose Boutique, a small business owned by Laronica Priddy, is offering up to 50 percent off all clothing, shoes and handbags, 30 percent off jewelry and 20 percent off already discounted red tag clearance items.

Belle LaRose Boutique is in the shopping plaza in the 100 block of Maple Street, behind Rite Aid and McDonald's.

Priddy makes about 80 percent of her own inventory by hand, she said. With Belle LaRose Boutique in business for over four years now, she also sells items online through Etsy, an internet marketplace for entrepreneurs selling their own creations.

"I have everything from key chains to wedding gowns in here," Priddy said.

Priddy also supports other local small business by offering space for their items, such as Kinney Hydrographics.

jstinchcom@gannett.com

419-734-7504

Twitter: @JonDBN