Pink Friday: Nebraska small businesses hold sale to bring in customers before Black Friday

BENNET, Neb. (KLKN) – Small business owners in Bennet brought customers in by offering sales for “Pink Friday.”

The new movement encourages people to shop local for the holidays.

“Black Friday: either you love it or you hate it, or you do it because you have to,” said Kristi Sittner, the owner of Tailored Life in Bennet.

But Pink Friday offers a different kind of experience.

“You can have all of the benefits of Black Friday without all of the craziness,” she said.

Emilie Long owns Love, M Boutique. She said it’s easy to find gifts in a big city like Lincoln or Omaha.

But the money spent at local stores can pay off down the line.

“If you spend $100, $67 stays within that community, whereas, if you shop big box stores, it’s only 13%,” Long said.

She helps point customers to other shops in the area, hoping to boost their sales.

“If we were working separately, I don’t think it would be as successful as it’s been,” Long said. “And I just don’t see that when I go to big cities. You don’t see that collaboration as much.”

This isn’t the only time small-town stores will be highlighted during the holiday season.

Many will do additional sales on Small Business Saturday, the day after Black Friday.