After a dreadful year for our local economy, this year’s “Small Business Saturday,” carried a little more weight than usual.
“Last year, Small Business Saturday was our single largest retail sales day since we opened our doors in 2008,” said Amy Dolan, co-owner of Noteworthy Paper & Press.
But that was last year — and 2020, as we’ve learned, is unlike any other year.
That meant reduced capacity inside stores, less inventory on hand in some cases, and a whole slew of COVID protocols to ensure Small Business Saturday didn't become Super Spreader Saturday.
“We've prioritized the health and safety of our staff and our community,” said Dolan, “and if we lose income because of that, that's okay.”
Dolan co-owns Noteworthy Paper and Press with business partner Taylor Valliant. Branded as a letterpress printing and stationery boutique, you can find Noteworthy Paper & Press at 219 S. 3rd Street W in Missoula.
The shop specializes in artisan paper goods and gifts and offers an impressive online shop, as well as their vibrant setup in town.
Dolan admits that Small Business Saturday has done wonders for their revenue in the past, but when all is said and done, it’s the people that make her business something worth celebrating.
“It's been really stressful, but also really heartwarming to have the support of our staff as well as the support of our community. We have so many amazing customers that have just been coming back year after year, and we've gotten to know names and stories and families, and that support goes a long way. It means the world to us,” said Dolan.
Whether it’s Noteworthy Paper & Press, or any of the locally owned shops that add to the vibrancy of Missoula, Dolan hopes you consider shopping small this holiday season.
“What would Missoula look like without all these amazing small businesses and restaurants that we are so lucky to have today? Really, like many small businesses, we operate with compassion and drive for the things that we sell, we focus on customer service, and we can do all the things that these larger corporations do, but we do it in a way that brings value to our community.”
