Small business Saturday will be here soon and many local stores are hoping for a successful start to the holiday shopping season. This comes after last year’s small business Saturday was delayed due to the Thanksgiving winter storm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
39 businesses in the City of Erie are the latest recipients of the Flagship Funds grants.<\/p>\n
Chris Groner, the Director of Development for the City of Erie said, “We want to make sure we can continue to offer assistance to small business because they are the ones that directly add fabric to the community.”<\/p>\n
Over $141,000 will be funneled into the city so organizations can continue to thrive.<\/p>\n
Several business all along State Street received these grants too and many of the business owners said it will be vital especially after a summer filled with construction.<\/p>\n
Danielle Gadd, the Director of Ye Olde Sweet Shop said, “It’s huge for us this year. I feel for the small businesses, especially the ones of State Street. It’s been a really hard year with all the construction. So having something like this and having a city that supports small business is an honor and huge for us. It’s really going to help us get through the rest of the year.”<\/p>\n
This business, like many other downtown staples know how important local businesses are.<\/p>\n
Larry Franco, the Owner of Franco\u2019s Cafe said, “It’s pretty much the backbone, especially downtown. A lot of small businesses and I have seen it evolve over the fifteen years I have been there and it’s been going really well.”<\/p>\n
Which is why the city wants to continue to assist them with these grants. As Mayor Joe Schember explained, “The level of support, we are able to give to the people who are just starting businesses or who are relatively new that continue to expand or increase. That’s something we want to keep on doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Business owners know a little support goes a long way. Casey Corritore, the Owner of Casey’s Ice Cream Cart said, “When you support a small business, a majority of that dollar goes directly back into the economy, so you are helping your neighbors put food on the table and you are making the city a safer place to be.”<\/p>\n