Local merchants sell holiday items at Shop Small Mall
December 8, 2021
The Shop Small Mall event, hosted by Highlands University on Dec. 1, helped to bring in much-needed support for local businesses who have been impacted by the pandemic and Bridge Street construction. The event was so successful that organizers plan to expand Shop Small Mall next year.
The Shop Small Mall event was held in the university’s Student Union Building and featured items from 27 local merchants. Next year, the event will be held in the Wilson Complex to accommodate more merchants.
Linda Anderle, community liaison at Highlands University, said that 10 of 27 participating merchants reported over $5,000 in sales from the Dec. 1 event. 274 customers attended, and Highlands gave away an air fryer, tool box, plush stuffed horse, and a bike as door prizes. Door prizes also included four gift certificates from El Fidel, a Scott Vail photo from Corner Art Gallery, a gift basket from Paper Trail, and a ceramic mug from Tito’s Gallery.
“We had sales of a little over $500—a very helpful infusion during the construction challenges on Bridge Street. In addition, we made contact with old and new customers, reassuring some that we are still open,” said Mary Chavez of Tito’s Gallery. “It was good to interact with fellow business persons; I also managed to do some holiday shopping. The shopping bags, the raffle, the entertainment and the refreshments all added to the successful evening. Tito and I had a great time.”
Merchants participating in the Shop Small Mall event had a wide range of merchandise available, including National Park Service puppets, beef from Red Barn Ranch, fake eyelashes from Killah Beauty Bar, sushi from Oishi Sushi Restaurant, a range of gifts from Paper Trail, movie passes from Indigo Theater, and much more. Two merchants, Weave & Gather and ReRuns on Railroad, who have not yet opened their businesses were also able to participate, and the Highlands Bookstore, Convenience Store, and Purple Brew were all open as well.
Shop Small Mall included entertainment from the Linda Vista Community Choir, refreshments, free gift- wrapping.
Representatives from the National Park Service said they were happy to be able to tell people about the two parks in their backyard, and merchants from Olivia’s Café said the event provided great advertising and resulted in many new customers the following day.
“The evening was most successful and joyous with our campus and Las Vegas communities exchanging holiday greetings in a mall-like setting. The merchants enjoyed seeing their customers as well as introducing themselves to new customers,” said Anderle. “Plans are already underway for the Mall to be located at the Wilson Complex in 2022. The date is tentatively set for December 1 and will be open to local storefront businesses as well as those with home businesses and makers of arts & crafts.”