Holidays are the ‘Super Bowl’ for small locally-owned Tri-Cities businesses
From the newest business in Kennewick to the oldest, small businesses across the Tri-Cities are counting on holiday business to carry them through the end of the year.
“It’s our Super Bowl,” said Stephanie Button, executive director of the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership, which advocates for small businesses and organizes events.
Button encouraged holiday shoppers to consider doing business with small businesses all season, not just on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. American Express created the concept in 2010 to promote spending at smaller businesses.
After 63 years, Discount Vac and Sew is a downtown Kennewick stalwart. Nearly two years ago, it moved to 22 W. Kennewick Ave. from its original spot on West First.
Its old building was damaged by snow. The new one gives it more visibility and more parking, said Gabriel Back, floor manager.
The holidays are critical to sewing and vacuum business, which sells high-end versions of both household staples. IT also sells services, hosts classes and carries fabric, thread and other supplies.
Cold weather and the holidays drive sales as customers embrace quilting and Christmas crafts when the days get shorter.
Sewing machines are a perennial gift, whether it’s a starter model for a beginner, or a high-end one for a dedicated hobbyist. Vacuum cleaners are hot Christmas items too. Back defended the gifts, saying wives send their husbands to buy quality machines to make their household jobs easier.
The business has a packed holiday schedule that includes make-and-take programs every Saturday through December. Customers can make felt ornaments on the shop’s sewing machines.
Blossom Coffee Shop is downtown Kennewick’s newest business. It opened a month ago in the Magnolia Studios complex at 20 N. Benton St., near the former Farmers Exchange site.
Owner Fern Morales is a lifelong Tri-Citian and Kennewick High grad. Formerly an office manager, she decided to launch her own business with her mother.
Blossom takes its inspiration from Seattle coffee boutiques. It is a combination coffee shop, boutique, flower shop and pop-up event center with studio rental space.
She’s embracing the holiday season with an ever-expanding list of vendors selling in her space and a few Hello Kitty themed events focused on the Sanrio character and her friends — Nov. 30-Dec. 1, and Dec. 14-15.
It will host a holiday bazaar on Dec. 22 — “for last-minute shoppers,” Morales said.
Morales has a holiday message for anyone who thinks there’s nothing to do in the Tri-Cities.
There’s plenty to do in the downtowns of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco, she said.
“Come down.”
Go to Facebook.
Catch the spirit
- Kennewick holds its Hometown Holiday celebration starting with a parade at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. The Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership encourages Tri-Citians to shop in the area through its “That’s the Ticket” raffle. Participating businesses will provide customers with tickets they can fill out and leave for a Dec. 15 drawing. No purchase is necessary to participate. Tickets are available at the HDKP office, 30 N. Benton.
- Richland’s annual Winter Wonderland begins at 5 p.m., Dec. 6, at John Dam Plaza and The Parkway and continues through Saturday with events at Howard Amon Park, Allied Art Gallery and the Richland Community Center. Santa arrives at 6:25 p.m and the countdown to turning on the festive light show begins at 6:30.
- Pasco’s annual Winterfest is Dec. 9-14 at Peanuts Park, 426 W. Lewis St., in downtown. Music, a tree lighting and a candy-cane themed scavenger hunt are included in the program. Follow the clues on the Pasco Parks and Recreation Facebook page, @pascoparks.
This story was originally published November 27, 2024 at 7:00 AM.