Small Business Saturday came back for the busiest consumer weekend of the year, falling between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and promoting the support of local businesses, including over 130 in Kennewick alone.
Grace and Gather Coffee Company was one of many small businesses open for Small Business Saturday, and the two owners understand the significance of supporting local businesses, especially growing up in small towns.
“We think it’s really important that small businesses thrive, so communicating with other small businesses and getting together and just bringing it back is what it’s here for,” said Co-Owner Taylor Rizin.
On a regular day, the coffee company travels around the area to craft bazaars and pumpkin patches, serving the community one cup at a time.
Rizen said her favorite part of the mobile coffee cart is being able to get involved with the community and express herself through the drinks she makes.
“I think we get to be creative and experience things that a lot of people don’t get the chance to see. We specialize in cold brew and make our menu as we go along,” she said. “I think it’s kind of a different take than people are used to.”
Co-Owner Kaitlyn Hanon said the business is only a couple of months old, but holds a special place in both her and Rizin’s hearts.
“We started the coffee cart so that we were able to supplement our household income, serve back to the community, but also still be stay at home moms to the six kids between us,” Hanon said. “We do it on the weekends, we pop up at events and we just share the business and do what we can.”
In the same parking lot near Columbia Point, Christina Schwartz celebrated 90 days owning Nana’s Kitchen, selling traditional and unique breakfast items.
Schwartz said the past three months have been a roller coaster of love and community, and people have shown up for her business. The anniversary makes Small Business Saturday special to her because of the big dreams she has going forward.
“It’s supporting us and showing that we’re not a corporate chain, (we’re) someone that’s running a small business,” she said. “Someone at home is praying for us to be successful and it really means more to us than anything else, because these are dreams that are finally coming true for everybody.”
