This holiday shopping weekend in the East Village small businesses saw a big increase in customers. Staff member of Porch Light, an antiques and gift shop, Emily Paulsen said customers told her they wanted to make small business a priority.
"We're just really grateful for people coming out to support small business," Paulsen said. "And I feel like people are really starting early this year and that really help you find the perfect gift for the perfect person."
Porch Light on Grande Avenue is a vintage and gift shop specialty. Paulsen said this year that puzzles and National Park posters are among their top selling items. She also notes that they sell small plants in pots which have also become more popular this year.
Inside the store face masks are required and they are limiting entry to 10 people at a time, but they now also have an online component to their small business. People can browse through items on their website and make orders either for store pick up, shipping or delivery.
The web store is a new addition made due to the pandemic. Paulsen said they also will help customers over the phone too if they're wanting to maintain a social distant shopping experience. But one thing customers have shared with her is that they love the atmosphere being inside of Porch Light.