Chattanooga Nonprofit Shines on Small Business Saturday

Chattanooga’s local nonprofit, The Chattery, hosted a vibrant Holiday Market on Small Business Saturday, showcasing the resilience of the community and the importance of supporting local businesses. Despite facing challenges after a fire incident earlier this year, the event brought together vendors and shoppers, emphasizing the significance of small businesses in the local economy.

Key Takeaways

The Chattery organized a Holiday Market to celebrate Small Business Saturday.
The event highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses.
Community support played a crucial role in the event’s success.

The Chattery’s Journey

The Chattery, known for providing affordable and accessible classes for adults, faced a significant setback in August when its building was set ablaze by a 21-year-old man. The founders, Shawanda Mason and Jennifer Holder, expressed gratitude for the community’s support during this challenging time.

"It’s been nice to see the community sort of step up and help us when we were trying to find a space to host classes," said Mason.

With assistance from Parkside Hill and local supporters, The Chattery was able to continue its mission and host the Holiday Market.

Celebrating Small Businesses

Small Business Saturday is a nationwide initiative encouraging consumers to shop at local businesses. Mason and Holder emphasized the vital role small businesses play in the community.

"Small businesses are literally the background of our community, and something like this where you’ve got smaller vendors, they could literally pay their bills with what you purchased today," they stated.

Vendor Experiences

The Holiday Market featured various local vendors, each sharing their unique products and stories. Christina Sok, owner of Chan Design Co., expressed her passion for small businesses:

"I just think small businesses are cool. I think that’s what makes Chattanooga, like Chattanooga. You know, there are big companies, but the heart and soul of Chattanooga is just everybody doing their own little thing."

Laura Ross, owner of Hello Laura Made, shared her rewarding experience:

"Having so many people come and support me, either by buying a piece or saying they think something looks nice, or even just saying hi, it’s really touching and encouraging."

The Impact of Community Support

The event allowed customers to engage directly with vendors, witnessing the creation process of various products. This interaction fostered a sense of community and connection.

Haley Bartlett, a shopper at the market, reflected on the importance of supporting local:

"It’s always really nice to remember your money is going directly into the pockets of the other people in town. I personally would rather give my money to someone who I know is serving me or is really kind to me than a big corporation."

Looking Ahead

While The Chattery is currently uncertain about when it will reopen its original space, the founders remain optimistic about the future. They plan to continue their mission of supporting local businesses and providing valuable community resources.

The success of the Holiday Market serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of the Chattanooga community, showcasing the vital role that small businesses play in enriching the local economy and culture.