Susan Lapham, owner of Avenues of Barnesville, right, stands with store Manager Evy Welch. The shop is offering 20 percent off any item Friday and Saturday.

BARNESVILLE — Many local businesses are preparing for Small Business Saturday this weekend, when promotions and deals will be available at locally owned businesses for shoppers.

As the countdown to Christmas begins and people start searching for the perfect gift for loved ones, officials are encouraging residents to shop locally.

Jill Hissom, director of the Barnesville Area Chamber of Commerce, said they are always working to promote “eat, shop and support local Barnesville.”

“These stores made it through the pandemic, and we want to keep supporting them. Our small stores in our village, that’s who supports our sports teams, schools and nonprofits, and we want to see them succeed,” she said.

Hissom said the village is a “close-knit” community where the businesses help to support the community and vice versa. When customers shop at local businesses, it in turn helps store owners donate and support local organizations and nonprofits.

“They wouldn’t be able to do that without us supporting our local businesses,” she added.

Instead of shopping at bigger department stores, Hissom encourages Christmas shoppers to check out the local shops where they can find unique gifts.

“From the hardware store that has Yeti mugs and case knives to the boutique stores that have different things that you don’t usually find at the mall,” she said. “We have an antique store, where out of three stories of antiques you can find something for that hard-to-buy-for person.”

Another special feature of shopping locally is that some of the stores offer free wrapping and gift bags so you don’t have to worry about concealing or wrapping the gift. Hissom said “Barnesville Gold” is also available at the chamber office, which acts as a gift certificate for any business in the village.

Some businesses will be holding specials this weekend following Thanksgiving. Avenues of Barnesville is offering customers 20 percent off its inventory during both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Susan Lapham, owner of the shop, said the sale is storewide.

“We’ve got lots of items here. We’re well stocked with gift items, and we still have Christmas decor and custom wreaths. We have Hobo purses, an organic skincare line, jewelry, accessories, Mudpie dishes and baby clothes,” she said, adding they also carry CBD products, cards, furniture, accent pieces, and home decor.

Lapham said the store carries unique items, and has something for everyone.

The Blue Moon Tavern will be hosting live music Wednesday and Friday. The Muddle will take the stage Wednesday, while the Schuman Band will perform Friday night.

Margie McMahon, owner of Bless Your Heart Folk Art, said her store, too, will be having a 20 percent off storewide sale Saturday. The shop sells a variety of home decor and gifts. She said it’s important for people to support small businesses to help keep the “mom and pop” shops going. She said she anticipates it to be a busy weekend following the Thanksgiving holiday.

Beginning Friday, the Barnesville Antique Mall is offering customers 20 percent off all merchandise in the shop. Brian Mayhugh, mall owner, said the sale will continue through until Dec. 23.

The antique mall offers three stories of fine antiques, collectibles, glassware, primitives, furniture, records, sports cards, jewelry and toys.

“Instead of shopping at the big box stores, come here for unique and collectible items,” Mayhugh said.

Village Hardware and Rental will have a variety of sales and discounts on items both Friday and Saturday. The annual case knife sale is underway and will continue until Dec. 24.

Also coming up in the village of Barnesville is “Christmas Market on the Main” from 10 a.m .to 2 p.m. Dec. 4 along Main Street. In addition to the local businesses, around a dozen vendors will be participating in the outdoor event that offers discounts and sales on merchandise.

“They will be set up outside to help promote eat, shop, and support local Barnesville,” Hissom said. “Come out and see us. It will be a lot of fun. We do have different vendors that will be set up along the sidewalk outside and we have a few hometown restaurants — the Main Street Barrel House will be open if you want to get a bite to eat or we have Annie K’s.”

In St. Clairsville, a craft and vendor event is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wise Building at the Belmont County Fairgrounds, 45420 Roscoe Road. More than 40 vendors will be on location, along with food and auctions. Admission is free.