Shoppers keep dollars local at Container Park for Small Business Saturday

Children and adults paint at the Downtown Container Park on Nov. 26, 2016, as part of the Small Business Saturday national event, which aims to infuse shopping dollars into the local economy.

With discounts and games for the kids, merchants at the Downtown Container Park welcomed holiday shoppers to commemorate Small Business Saturday, a national event that aims to infuse dollars into the local economy.

Dozens of singles, couples and families trickled into the outdoor mall on Fremont Street near Las Vegas Boulevard. Children took photos with Santa, ran in the jungle gym and painted.

Foot traffic at Kappa Toys was tight as customers flowed in to look at and buy items that appeal to children, but also their older counterparts, said store owner and toy curator Lizzy Newsome.

"Our real goal is to make everyone feel like a kid again," she said.

Newsome said she's been in business for 10 years and has seen the positive effect events like Saturday's have on local and small businesses. For example, at her boutique, "a lot of people who would never think to look for a local toy store find us, and a lot of times they'll turn into regulars," she said.

The dollars spent locally stay in the valley, she said.

Andrew and Rachael Parker agree. The couple own a local photography business and arrived at the shopping hub to grab pizza and popcorn.

Though they said they typically don't partake in Christmas shopping, events like Small Business Saturday "make cities cool," Rachael Parker said.

Shopping locally is "more personal" compared to the larger corporate retailers, Andrew Parker said. He cited his business as an example. Locals utilize the couple's services, and they in turn shop locally, keeping the flow of cash in the city. He described it as a "nice little circle."

Canadian Glen Wada, who was in Las Vegas with his wife, said he "stumbled across" the Container Park in part because of online advertisement.

"Marketing is a unique thing, and this is a unique way to market," he said about the event. "I'm all about it."

The couple bought footwear at Vegas Flip Flops. Though Small Business Saturday is different from what he's used to back home, he said, "I'm all about it."

Renee and Divinity Ippolito co-own Scentual Scents, a designer fragrance store that also sells, among other things, bags and accessories.

They said they noticed an increase in foot traffic Saturday due to the event. Divinity Ippolito said that compared to bigger retailers, the stores at the Container Park offer more unique and individual items. A lot of their shoppers had showed up for the children's events and struck around to shop, she said.

The message Newsome has for local shoppers: "Hopefully everyone will start shopping small every day, at least every Saturday. And don't forget to eat small too."

For more information about the park and its retailers, visit downtowncontainerpark.com.

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