Conscientious shoppers from around the county visited many and varied stores and restaurants in downtown Butler on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25 to support local businesses instead of big corporations.

“I always come out because small businesses mean a lot,” said Karen Dunn of Connoquenessing Township, “but my arm is about to fall off.”

Dunn, who lugged numerous shopping bags both large and small along Main Street, said money spent locally stays in the community and supports the families of those who own businesses here.

“By buying something, their kid can play football,” she said. “I think more people should come out and support small businesses.”

Dunn also appreciates handmade items as opposed to their mass-produced counterparts. Dunn likes it when someone asks where she got an item, so she can refer them to a downtown business.

She bought items from Mystique Moon, Grows on Main, the Butler Art Center and enjoyed coffee from both Cummings Candy & Coffee and Vintage Coffeehouse, both on Main Street.

“We have a lot of new and cute shops,” Dunn said.

Sarah and Zach Irion, a brother and sister duo, teamed up to hit the stores on Small Business Saturday.

Both had enough stamps in their “passports” to qualify for a chance at one of several raffle baskets available for dedicated Small Business Saturday shoppers.

Sarah was interested in checking out all the new shops on and around Main Street and bought items at Grows on Main and Diamonds of West.

“Every time I come down here, there are more and more businesses,” she said.

Sarah and her brother also sampled the rich roasts of Vintage Coffeehouse and Cummings.

“We had to try both of them,” she said.

Zach came to spend time with his sister and support local businesses in Butler.

“I wanted to show support of all the new businesses on Main Street,” he said.

He said the reasons are many to shop small.

“If you have any questions to ask, the business owners are very attentive,” Zach said.

His sister agreed, and said some even offer to create a custom item for customers looking for something very specific, which she said does not happen at the big chain stores.

Larry Sommers, of Penn Township, shopped with his teenage son and daughter, David and Kate.

“We wanted to shop local, but also, there are so many interesting stores,” Larry said. “You don’t realize they are in your own backyard.”

He said in addition to having a good time, he is showing his children the importance of shopping local to keep dollars in the hands of local business owners.

“When you incorporate the Spirit of Christmas Parade into it, it makes a whole day of it,” Larry said.

David Sommers said he always enjoys Small Business Saturday, which the family has been doing for eight to 10 years.

“You never know what you’re going to find,” he said. “I didn’t come today thinking I was going to get a pullover, but I got this really nice pullover.”

He said his family are former Butler residents.

“It’s nice to get back up here and support local businesses,” David said. “It’s a great family bonding experience.”

Jen Osborne, co-owner of Your Parents’ Basement, said her Main Street business was very busy Saturday.

“A lot of folks were buying board games, or passes to come in later,” she said.

Osborne is thrilled that so many people understand the importance of supporting her store and the others on and around Main Street.

“Community support is what makes small business special,” she said.

Lindsey Gifford, of Center Township, sat down at one of the many tables in Your Parents’ Basement to enjoy the dinner she purchased from another Main Street business Saturday.

She said she and her family normally frequent downtown businesses.

“We call it ‘Downtown Day,’” Gifford said. “We’ll take a day and hit all the businesses downtown.”

She agreed that the downtown shopping and restaurant scene has improved during the last year, and free parking can be found in many spots.

“They are really bringing in some hearty businesses, and the streets seem cleaner,” Gifford said. “You can spend your whole day down here.”

She agreed that shopping small is the best way to support a community.

“Stuffing the pockets of CEOs is not as beneficial to our community as stuffing the pockets of our local business owners,” Gifford said.