Small Businesses Prepare For Busy Holiday Shopping Weekend

Many small business owners are preparing for a big weekend to kick off the holiday shopping season.

One small business says with glass shortages and so many products on back-order, they've been preparing since June. Some have even had to hire additional staff to help stock the shelves. Scottie Lawrence opened Magnolia Soap and Bath Co on Cherry Street in December of 2020. 

Two weeks ago she opened her second location at Woodland Hills Mall.

"We wanted to show Tulsa and the surrounding areas how we are different and the best way to do that was to meet the masses at the mall this Christmas time," said Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. Owner, Scottie Lawrence. 

Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. also went from 7 workers to 25 to keep up with demand.

"We're rapidly trying to replenish our shelves because we aren’t a typical retail store we have to make everything,” said Lawrence.

Magnolia sells handmade soaps and candles and everything is made locally in their store. Lawrence says she's anticipating a busy weekend.

"We've been overpreparing and then with our second location at woodland hills mall, we've had to stock for that too," said Lawrence. 

Across the street, The Nest on Cherry Street has been preparing for the holiday shopping season for six months but, they say they're still waiting on products they ordered this summer.

“With so much supply disruption it's been really difficult to get things in a timely fashion, so we are just focusing on what we can make,” said The Nest on Cherry Street Co-Owner, Nathan Lane.

They're selling hand-poured candles, local pottery, and even hand-knitted trivets made by Lane's mom, Elizabeth.

"We're just really trying to focus on keeping that local stuff in stock right now because it's really the only guarantee that we have,” said Lane. 

Lane says they usually see a bigger rush on Black Friday because many people would rather shop at small stores to avoid large crowds.

"Nobody is going to fight over a flat-screen tv here because you know we don't sell them, so the worst they're going to fight over is an orange ginger candle but we have plenty of those so we aren't going to run out," said Lane.

Lane says The Nest on Cherry Street is open during their normal hours this weekend. Lawrence says Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. is extending their hours this weekend at both locations. 

A lot of small businesses have different hours for the holiday season, or additional deals this weekend, so store owners encourage you to check out their social media pages to stay up to date.