Camillus store among those hoping to benefit from this weekend’s Small Business Saturday

CAMILLUS, N.Y. — Aubry Panek, owner of Witty Wicks Candles and Gift Shop in Camillus, is ready to provide consumers with plenty of stocking stuffers and presents this holiday season.

That’s according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Having started Witty Wicks in her kitchen in 2011 as a “passion project,” Panek “understands how important community support is in creating a flourishing business.”

Panek’s business is among those hoping to benefit from this weekend’s Small Business Saturday.

It’ll be the 11th anniversary of Small Business Saturday, according to Bernard J. Paprocki, director of the SBA’s Upstate New York district office. The SBA has co-sponsored the event the last 10 years.

“Whether it’s wearing masks and heading into stores, purchasing products online, or using curbside pickup, it’s important to get out and shop small at businesses like Witty Wicks this year.” Paprocki said in a release. “Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity for consumers to really make an impact on our economy and in our neighborhoods.”

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Witty Wicks Candles, a woman-owned business, received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from its bank and the SBA. The funds supported payroll for Panek’s employees, and the business now has extended hours this holiday season to make it easier for shoppers to visit.

Started by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday has continued to provide small-business owners with a “big economic boost” during the holiday shopping season. Small Business Saturday is placed between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the SBA noted.

Last year, 110 million consumers went out to shop small and spent a total of $20 billion in local shops and restaurants across America.

But this year, the “landscape is different” because of COVID-19, the SBA said. E-commerce and contactless shopping and curbside pick remain preferences of 73 percent of people surveyed by Deloitte in its annual holiday-season economic forecast, issued for the 35th straight year.

Additionally, the survey notes a majority of shoppers — 51 percent — feel anxious about shopping physically in a store.

“Small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool, and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” Paprocki said. “The holidays might look a little different this year; however, we can still share joy and a sense of community by shopping small and supporting our favorite small businesses, and their employees, all holiday season long.”