Shoppers crowd Franklin for Small Business Saturday

The line stretched for more than half a block as the anticipation built in downtown Franklin.

What was the occasion? The chance to win shopper incentives like coupons and other goodies for Small Business Saturday.

Cold temperatures Saturday morning did nothing to deter the crowd of more than 100 that waited in line for a few hours before the Franklin Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual Start Here Open House at the chamber’s downtown office. Small Business Saturday is a shopping holiday created by American Express in 2010 to give small businesses a boost during the recession. Now, it is a cherished tradition that promotes shopping small on this day and year-round.

Fifteen minutes before the open house began at 10 a.m., the waiting line got a boost of excitement and Christmas cheer as visitors from the North Pole arrived — Santa and Mrs. Claus. People waved and said hello as the duo made their way down the line.

Young children waiting in line with their families cheered. A young girl in a car passing by on Jefferson Street yelled “Santa.”

The Claus’ appearance was new for this year’s open house, said Rosie Chambers, the chamber’s executive director. But many parts of the experience remained the same, including the tote bags filled with coupons, store information, swag from local businesses and Chamber Cash, a coupon for money off a purchase at participating small businesses.

Those in line received most of the goodies inside special “Genuine Franklin” tote bags. Envelopes filled with Chamber Cash were handed out by Santa to the first 100 adults who walked through the chamber’s doors.

A total of $1,500 in Chamber Cash was up for grabs, with envelopes containing between $10 and $100 to be used at 19 participating businesses. People come back year after year for a chance at winning the incentive, Chambers previously said.

Shoppers also vie to have the first spot in line, trying to maximize their luck in getting the envelopes with the most cash.

Makalynn Schmidt of Morgantown and Jennifer Rhorer of Franklin were the first in line for the chamber’s open house, arriving at around 8:15 a.m. It was also their first time ever going to the event, they said.

Schmidt didn’t expect that they would be the first in line.

“I was expecting at least 25 people to be here at 8:15,” Schmidt said.

“I had no idea what to expect, so that’s why I came early,” Rhorer added.

Franklin residents Linda and Robbie Morse have been coming to the chamber’s Small Business Saturday open house ever since it first started 11 years ago. They also have a unique accomplishment under their belt. They are the only people to ever receive the envelope with $100 in Chamber Cash twice. They were trying again for a third time, though it was not clear who ultimately got the envelope with the $100.

The Morse’s have come back every year to support small businesses, and they want to see the community’s businesses continue to thrive, they said.

“This is one way we can do it, and it’s to support Small Business Saturday,” Robbie Morse said.

The Morse’s planned to stop by Wild Geese Bookshop and Toodleydoo Toys after their stop at the chamber, but also other stores they happened to “wander through,” Linda Morse said.

Schmidt was most looking forward to going around the shops downtown, planning a stop at Middle Davids Artisan Candles. Rhorer planned to shop at Farm Girl Mercantile, she said.

Both Schmidt and Rohrer often shop local, with Schmidt adding she is a big proponent of it. Contributing to something that can give back to the community is important for her, she said.

Shopping local is also a way to support your neighbors, Rohrer said.

“I live right here so I know all the people, things like that. I want to support them as much as I can,” Schmidt said.

Linda Morse echoed a similar sentiment, saying that supporting small businesses — and by extension, your neighbors — is important to building a community.

“Franklin’s a pretty good community,” she said. “We do talk to each other, which in bigger cities, you don’t get that as much. So we can build that community. We know each other. We protect each other.”

She also encourages people to come out, support and shop at small businesses year-round, she said.