Shoppers fill downtowns in NH for Small Business Saturday

Downtown areas across New Hampshire were full of people who want to shop locally on Small Business Saturday.

In Manchester, Mayor Joyce Craig kicked off and officials from Intown Manchester and Chamber of Commerce at The Bookery, a store that just opened in May.

"We are a brand new company, to see community support from this is amazing," said Elizabeth Cipriano, head of department store.

Sa Craig: "It is very important that we support our local businesses here in our city center. It really is what makes our city alive."

In the center of Concord, a number of companies also had special events and offers for day.

Fifty Homes, which carry goods made in all 50 states, offered gift wrapping. And owners said that the store is proof that money offered on small businesses is right back to society.

"Back in the country, too," said co-owner Jim Clark. "This store specializes in only US-manufactured goods."

In recent years improvements have been made in the center of Concord, partly in favor of small businesses. But Clark said that changes in parking are starting to have a negative effect.

"I understand that it is an important source of income," he said. "We have more customers telling us that they will arrive only on Sunday due to the parking lot."

But on this Saturday, small businesses were flourished in downtown Concord and Manchester.

"Me and my eldest daughter started last year and we liked it. We are as if this is a new tradition we will do every little business Saturday," said Maribel King of Manchester.

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