Small Business is the backbone of the West Columbia economy. Small Business Saturday is this Saturday, Nov. 26 in advance of the holiday shopping season. And West Columbia is ready for it.
Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shop in the local community and support local businesses.

Clothing shops, restaurants and service providers are looking forward to Small Business Saturday. And the Meeting Street Artisan Market will be open for Small Business Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3  p.m. The market is under the pavilion at 425 Meeting Street, West Columbia, in the Interactive Art Park.

Almost all of the businesses in West Columbia are small, locally owned enterprises. And that’s a good thing, said BJ Unthank, West Columbia economic development director.

“The local mom and pop stores are people you know,” he said. “They give you personal service because they know you, They are our neighbors.”

In addition to the personal touch offered by local businesses, Unthank said small businesses are convenient and they afford an increased level of trust.”
Tim James, president of the Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce said it is important to do business locally, especially on Small Business Saturday.  

“We are so fortunate to have many small businesses that invest themselves in our community,” said James. “This Saturday is an opportunity to show our support in return and shop small, dine small and love our small businesses.”

James said that 80 percent of the C-WC Chamber member businesses are small businesses with 50 employees or less. Nationally, 99 percent of all businesses employ fewer than 500 employees and are considered small businesses.

“Small businesses are the core of our community,” James said. “And small businesses encourage and support our large businesses.”  
Unthank also said local businesses project a personal of their own, and they become icons in the community. He used West Columbia restaurants as an example.

“Zesto, Ds Wings, Café Strudel, DeLuccas, Grecian Gardens, and Nick’s, are just a few of the well-known places to dine in West Columbia. I go to all of them and many more.  
Unthank said doing business locally has other advantages, too.

“When you buy from local stores, the money stays in your community,” he said. “When you buy on-line, you are sending your dollar off to another state.”
In addition to restaurants, Unthank said he has found local merchants more likely to work with him and give him the best price on items.

“When you can talk to someone face-to-face, it increases the level of confidence in what you are buying,” he said. “To me, peace of mind, and a retailer’s ability to stand behind the product he is selling, is a good reason to shop local.  

Small Business Saturday also provides an excellent opportunity to patronize West Columbia’s specialty shops, restaurants and antique stores. Some are listed below:

• State Street Trading Co. – 134 State Street – (803) 550-9048
• Zesto – 504 12th St, – (803) 794-4652
• Tall Oaks Boutique – 128 State St, – (803) 834-4554
• Old Mill Antique Mall – 310 State St. – (803) 796-4229
• Ronnie’s Jewelers – 710 12th St. – (803) 739-1800
• Three Rivers Antiques – 615 Meeting St. – (803) 814-2102
• Dan Rich Furniture –  255 Charleston Hwy. – (803) 794-5750
• 763 Meeting Street Antiques – 763 Meeting St. – (803) 796-1516
• Meeting Street Interiors – 614 Meeting St. – (803) 791-0008
• Attic Fanatic – 251 Charleston Hwy. – (803) 828-4036
• ADD VINTAGE – 1217 Augusta Rd. – (803) 821-8208
• Parks Furniture Antiques Ltd – 3131 Sunset Blvd – (803) 791-4071
• The Elephant Trunk – 2931 Platt Springs Rd – (803) 791-8765
• The Warehouse SC – 312 State St. – (803) 834-7557
• Grecian Gardens Restaurant – 2312 Sunset Blvd – 803-794-7552
• Cafe Strudel – 300 State St. – (803) 794-6634
• Compton’s Kitchen – 1118 B Ave – 803 791-0750
• Parkland Cakes – 1220 C Ave. – (803) 791-4682
• Buttercream Dreams – 1230 C Ave. – (803) 708-4485
• Hite’s BBQ – 240 Dreher Rd. – (803) 794-4120
• The Original Brunches – 2245 Leaphart Rd – (803) 791-7477
• Jimmy’s Mini Mart/Citgo – 812 Meeting St. – (803) 794-0090
• Maurice’s Piggie Park – 1600 Charleston Highway – 803-796-0220J
• Nick’s House of Pizza Restaurant- 1082 A Sunset Blvd – 803-794-9240
• DeLuccas 1720 Sunset Blvd. – 803- 926-5255
• Ariana’s Greek Restaurant – 1720 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-4430
• Lizard’s Thicket – 2234 Sunset Blvd. 803 – 794-0923
• Jin Jin Chinese Restaurant – 469 Sunset Blvd. (803) 739-8888
• Chick-fil-A -2299 Augusta Rd. – (803) 939-1600
• Rush’s 2332 Sunset Blvd. – (803) 796-5034