Pearl River County shops participated in National Small Business Saturday this past Saturday yielding mixed results.

Bill Edwards, owner of Glass Porch, did not have a great deal of business generated from Small Business Saturday.

“This past Saturday was a very slow day, there were very few customers and only one sale. I guess everybody is out of town,” he said.

Lynne Barze, owner of Barze Place Antique & Collectibles mall said the day went pretty well.

“There were people staying at Sun Roamers, and they came to the closest small town and came to Picayune. I had customers all the way until quarter to four,” Barze said. “I have various dealers in here, and one of my dealers had a chandelier piece from the 1920s that sold on Small Business Saturday. I had people from other cities come in and make some purchases. I look forward to it every year.”

Barze said the day felt nationally significant because employees from Stennis Space Center were apparently instructed to go out and support local businesses.

“I had a gentleman come by from Stennis to go to different small businesses because Washington, D.C. wanted them to support the local economy. It is small business and mom and pops that are the backbone of our country. All the national and local advertising on Small Business Saturday is helping,” she said.

Pam LaHaye, Owner of Apples in Poplarville said she was very pleased with the outcome of Small Business Saturday. She described the type of customer that comes in on Small Business Saturday as one who is looking for good customer service and a small business atmosphere, not just a quick bargain.

LaHaye said Apple’s received customers from all over the area.

“We had customers from New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, Stone County and Bogalusa. We will participate every year,” she said.