AUBURN — Standing under a dizzying array of stained-glass lights, Jeff Dalbec and fiancee Kristen Male of Cumberland looked over antique watches at Orphan Annie’s on Saturday.

They were participating in “Small Business Saturday,” the day after Black Friday, on which shoppers are encouraged to buy from local businesses. The day does not feature deep discounts. There are no lines or waiting. Customers don’t shop all night or get up at 3 a.m., as they do on Black Friday.

Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 to strengthen local economies. While many consumers are not aware of the day, experts say it is catching on, both nationally and in Maine.

Dalbec said he loved the idea.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “Maine is based on small-business people working hard, trying to make it.” It’s important to support businesses during the holiday season, because right after Christmas, business slows down for many companies, he said.

Orphan Annie’s on Court Street is “one of the best-kept secrets in Lewiston-Auburn, or southern Maine,” he said, adding that he collects antique watches and violins.

Walking past the exterior window displays that change with the season, inside Orphan Annie’s antique and curio shop, everything is vintage. Going inside is a visual delight.

Owner Dan Poulin arranges collectibles to create pops of color on shelves. There are inexpensive and expensive items, collectible salt-and-pepper shakers, estate jewelry, including cameo pendants and pins that range from $35 to $300, Kugel’s glass Christmas ornaments made in Germany, ranging in price from $10 to $125.

One shelf was filled with glass from the Great Depression era, made from the 1920s to the 1950s.

“They finally perfected making pressed glass quickly and cheaply,” Poulin said, showing off a $35 cobalt-blue cup and saucer. “A lot of it was given at movie theaters with tickets. You’d go back because you wanted to complete your set.”

Inside the Goldworks jewelry shop on Center Street, Kelsey Cunliffe was decorating and talking to customers. Her parents, who own the shop, appreciate Small Business Saturday, she said.

“Maine is a very family-oriented place,” she said. “There are a lot of family-owned businesses. It’s awesome to go and support them, rather than just the corporate, monopoly-type places. (Small businesses) are what keep the economy going.”

Popular at Goldworks are Citizen watches, especially the “Eco Drive” line, which require no batteries and are charged by light, both natural and artificial. The high-end watches sell for between $200 to $600.

Goldworks also sells estate jewelry. Cunliffe showed off a $1,300 pendant that looked like it could have been worn at a “Great Gatsby” party. It was a gold piece with a floral design encrusted with diamonds and surrounded by a circle of diamonds. Other estate jewelry included $200 diamond pendants.

Customer Ann Ward of Lewiston said she shops there because the service is good. “The prices are fantastic,” she said.

Patronizing local businesses is critical to the local economy, Ward said. “My husband and I had a sign business in Auburn for 18 years. It’s important to support local business to keep everybody working.” Also small, independent shops offer one-of-a-kind items that can’t be found at malls, she said.

In downtown Lewiston, Sheri Withers, owner of Downtown Handmade and Vintage on Lisbon Street, said Saturday saw a good amount of foot traffic. “People are into the festive spirit. That was great,” she said.

Downtown Handmade and Vintage, which sells vintage clothing including aprons, is on the second floor above Forage Market. About half of Withers’ customers were aware of Small Business Saturday, she said. “Most people are eager to support local businesses.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link