‘Shop small’ a big hit
SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Jerry Presseller, left, responds to questions from customer Erika Meier at Presseller's Cheese Please booth at the Punta Gorda Farmers Market Saturday — which happened to be Small Business Saturday. Small businesses provide more choices and help grow the economy, Meier pointed out.
SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN, gmartin@sun-herald.com
Carla Beyerl of Punta Gorda Isles, left, purchases some items from clerk Carolyn Swartz at the Ace Hardware store in downtown Punta Gorda Saturday. Beyerl said she made a point of shopping locally to participate in Small Business Saturday.
SUN PHOTO BY GREG MARTIN
Customer Nancy Prafke, left, gets some advice on a skin-care product from Bina Dhariwal, owner of Skintopia by Bina, Saturday in Punta Gorda. "Everything is customized for one face at a time," Dhariwal says.
PUNTA GORDA — A movement in which consumers make a point of shopping at small businesses is bringing renewed vibrancy to downtown Punta Gorda, merchants and customers said on Small Business Saturday.
And that’s something to cheer about, according to Steve Bales, co-owner of Ace Hardware at 208 W. Marion Ave.