Elaine Michael, of Boonsboro, Md., shops for Christmas presents at the Harpers Fairies Holiday Market in Evolve on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — “I came here for Small Business Saturday,” said Elaine Michael, of Boonsboro, Md., as she shopped in downtown Shepherdstown on Saturday afternoon.

For Michael, participating in the annual shopping day has become a tradition for her, which she observes both in her home town and in her college town, as she is a 1995 graduate of Shepherd University.

“Years ago, I went to Shepherd and I fell in love with Shepherdstown. I find myself going down to O’Hurley’s General Store quite a bit, even now, 30 years later,” Michael said.

Although she does shop in Shepherdstown often, making a special trip on Saturday was important to her, as a means of showing her support to small businesses in the area.

“On the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year, I make this trip,” Michael said. “It is such an important event to participate in.”

Families look at the wares offered by some of the small businesses in Shepherdstown on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

Lisa and Chris Sutter, of Germantown, Md. also made the trip to Shepherdstown to give a boost to its small businesses on Saturday.

“We come here every year on Small Business Saturday. We buy our Christmas tree from Dan & Bryan Christmas Trees and then we drive into town and visit all of the shops and the bakery,” Lisa said. “I’m not doing any shopping at any big box store or Amazon. We’re only buying local. We’ve got to support this fabulous town and these fabulous vendors.”

The couple said they strongly believe in the annual event, which is held in support of small businesses across the nation, because their own children are small businesses owners

“One of my kids is a cottage baker, who sells at farmers markets. My other kid is an artist who makes handmade dolls and sells them at events and stores,” Lisa said. “Having people that you love, who physically make stuff like this, helps you realize how essential it is to shop from small businesses.

“Supporting local merchants, as much as you can, is better for the economy and is better for humanity,” Lisa said. “You want to support your neighbors — you want to do what you can help. You want people to be able to make a living off of their craft and support their families and create and be artistic and expressive, because what you get from a small business is unique — it’s not one of a million that has been stamped out by a machine in a factory somewhere.”

Germantown, Md. Lisa Sutter, right purchases hair scarves for the children of some family friends from Harpers Fairies owner Maryanne Caruso, in Evolve on Saturday. Photo by Tabitha Johnston

According to Harpers Fairies owner Maryanne Caruso, one sale can make the world of a difference to a small business like her own.

“It’s easy to shop for everything at Walmart or Amazon, but you can do so much more good by shopping small,” Caruso said.

The Kearneysville resident said she has personally witnessed the impact that the loss of support to small businesses can lead to.

“I will not go to Walmart, myself, because when I was younger I saw that when Walmart moved to a town, there went the town. All of the shops closed,” Caruso said, mentioning she has since made a purchase at Walmart no more than once every decade. “It’s best to keep your money in the local economy — it benefits both you and your neighbors.”