‘Community over competition,’ Lincoln area small shops host fall event

The leaves are changing colors, a slight breeze is in the air and there’s a glass of warm apple cider awaiting customers as they browse the wares of a local business in a small town. 

The Small Town Fall Shop Hop on Saturday, Oct. 18, featured six different small businesses across five Nebraskan small towns. The event included J Boutique in Hickman, Hilary & Co in Roca, Love M, Boutique and Tailored Life 360 in Bennet, Haven on 613 in Adams and Remedy in Tecumseh. 

“It’s just a way to promote small businesses,” Emilie Long, event organizer and owner of Love, M Boutique, said. “Maybe somebody who's heard of my store before but hasn't heard of the others, that gives exposure to them and vice versa. It’s a way to collaborate.” 

Long said a special consideration when organizing the fall event was making sure there were no home Husker football or volleyball games. She has also organized several other seasonal events to promote many local businesses throughout the area. 

“I'm really big on community over competition,” Long said.  

Another Bennet small business that participated was Tailored Life 360, just a block over from Love, M Boutique. The brick-and-mortar store has been around for three years, but the origins of the business started 20 years ago as Tailored Landscapes with owners Jake and Kristi Sittner. Over the years it evolved to also include outdoor and industrial lighting, which eventually needed a physical space, and has since grown into something more. 

“We love being a part of Bennet, but also the greater area here, there's a lot of small businesses around,” Kristin Nelson, manager of Tailored Life 360, said. 

Tailored Life 360’s retail store offers all things garden, home and gifts. This time of the year, half of the store is fall decor and the other half is Christmas. 

“We try to find things that you aren't going to find in shops like in Lincoln or Omaha or whatnot,” Nelson said. “We really work really hard to find unique items, as well as supporting local artisans.” 

Across the way in Adams is Haven on 613, a women’s clothing boutique. The shop was formerly known as Bluebird Boutique before Afton Buhr took it over in April. With the help of her mother and grandmother, Buhr offers Adams a boutique stocked with local artist-made and curated items. 

“It's nice to have something in this town that's different than a restaurant or the grocery store,” Buhr said. “It brings people to the community as well.”

J Boutique in Hickman also fills a similar niche within its community. This boutique carries women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry and more.

“(Working in a small boutique) allows me to get to know each of my customers,” Keelee Hall, an employee at J Boutique, said. “And it allows the shoppers to have an enjoyable shopping experience, because they have a worker who really cares.” 

All of the shops featured different promotions and sales to celebrate the event and bring awareness to the power of shopping small. Shopping at small businesses actually benefits each community in a variety of ways, Long said.

“I employ local people in the community. It's jobs for our youth. It's taxes, and that money goes back into the community,” Long said. “We’ll then go spend money at possibly other businesses in town. It helps the whole community when we come together.” 

Many of the shops are already looking ahead to other events. Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 is celebrated at local businesses across the country. Additionally, the Bennet shops will host a Christmas on the Square Event on Dec. 6, among other events. 

“We all like to support each other, all of us small towns,” Buhr said. 

Taking a step out of Lincoln into the surrounding towns could unveil a hidden gem, while directly supporting a small community.

“We all are real people, different than a big box shop. You're supporting real families here in Nebraska. It’s making a difference that way,” Nelson said.