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Barrington residents turn out for Shop Small Saturday
Island Lake six-year-old Luka Phillps recognizes a familiar face on the shirt held by his grandmother Dori Gordon of Wauconda while they shop at Norton's U.S.A. during Small Business Saturday. | Michelle LaVigne ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: December 30, 2012 6:33AM
BARRINGTON — After the Black Friday buzz passed, Barrington retailers were ready for shoppers to turn their attention to Shop Small Saturday.
Many local shops, including Mia Sorella Salon, Boutique and Spa, relied on their loyal local followings to attract customers throughout the holiday shopping weekend.
“We were busy yesterday,” said Mia Sorella’s Faith Kerbis on Saturday. “Last year, we had a lot of people come by, so I’m hoping the same (success for Shop Small Saturday) this year too.”
Kerbis said Mia Sorrella has gained its local popularity through its participation in many community events, ranging from wine walks to girls’ salon nights.
Other downtown Barrington shops, like Norton’s U.S.A General Store, became so crowded at times Saturday it was difficult to get in the door.
Deborah Leydig, who has owned Norton’s for five years, said many of her loyal customers set aside a time just to make a trip on Small Business Saturday.
Among the most popular items were Norton’s holidays ornaments and wrapping paper, which Leydig designs and prints in the store herself.
“Days like today makes the whole thing worth while — we work so hard,” Leydig said.
One of the newer shops in town is Anderson’s Candy Shop, a quaint candy store that was filled with sweet smells Saturday. Barrington marks the second location for the shop, which has been located in Richmond since 1919.
Katie Anderson-Tedder reported that business started to pick up at the new shop late in the day Saturday.
“Since the big retail stores moved shopping to late Thursday night, it’s hurt stores like ours,” said Anderson-Tedder, who’s confident the candy store will be busy throughout the holiday season.
Some of the most eye-catching chocolates in the store included a several-pound chocolate snowman and snappers, which are Anderson’s version of turtle candies.
The popular Wool Street Grill and Sports Bar also benefitted from the holiday shopping weekend. Wool Street was crowded on Black Friday and Small Shop Saturday as well.
Sue Freund explained that shoppers flooded into the restaurant for a break from shopping. Customers said they were not only shopping small but also planned to eat local as well.
“It’s your friends and family that have these stores, and Barrington has become my friends and family,” said Leydig.
