CARIBOU, Maine — Caribou residents kicked off the holiday season by visiting their favorite locally owned businesses over the weekend in honor of Small Business Saturday.
This year marked the fifth time that the city hosted an ornament scavenger hunt to bring more people into small businesses. After receiving a checklist for either the Gnome Collection or the Reindeer Collection, shoppers visited the featured businesses, who offered discounted deals throughout the day.
Each collection featured nine ornaments. The Gnome Collection was designed by Washburn artist Filomena Irving while the Reindeer Collection came courtesy of Christina Kane-Gibson, owner of the Caribou-based CKG Creative.
Fifteen businesses and the Caribou Public Library took part in the scavenger hunt this year. Ornaments were also given away during the visit from Santa’s reindeer in Lyndon Square.
“The major reason for having the scavenger hunt is to promote our local businesses,” said Gary Marquis, event organizer and superintendent of parks and recreation. “It’s a great way to get people in the doors.”
At Monica’s Scandinavian Imports on Sweden Street, dozens of customers filled the store throughout the morning. Manager Betty Thompson said she expected to see even more people throughout the afternoon.
Thompson and her employees greeted customers enthusiastically as they searched through the Swedish and other Scandinavian-themed gift items, including clothing, linen, candies and greeting cards.
Thompson has managed Monica’s for more than four years and worked for the original owner, Monica Soderberg, for several decades before that. Thompson loves telling new customers the story of how Soderberg, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, began her business.
Betty Thompson, (left), manager of Monica’s Scandinavian Imports, chats with Jennifer Beaupre of Caribou during Small Business Saturday. (Melissa Lizotte | Aroostook Republican)
“[Monica] started the store in 1964 in her home before moving to Prospect Street,” Thompson said. “She opened the business because all her friends loved her Swedish things.”
Monica’s has been on Caribou’s ornament hunt list since the first Small Business Saturday activities in 2017. Though many customers came in with checklists in tow, Thompson loved seeing everyone take the time to browse and choose the ideal Christmas presents.
“Seeing so many people here really brings in that holiday feeling,” Thompson said.
Longtime Monica’s customer Jennifer Beaupre of Caribou said that she could not miss the chance to shop at one of her favorite stores. While there, she stumbled upon Aroostook County-themed linen, books and other gifts for family and friends.
“It’s important to keep supporting the businesses we have,” Beaupre said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have a community.”
Small Business Saturday also encouraged shoppers to check out stores located farther from the city’s downtown.
Lucas Roy, owner of Luke’s Small Engine Shop, took part in the ornament hunt for the first time this year. The activity brought in both regular and new customers throughout the morning, he said.
After operating his business from home since 2018, Roy relocated to a store on the Van Buren Road last May. The shop offers small engine service and repair and sells outdoor sporting equipment.
“The community support has been awesome. Many people have said how dire the need is for these services in the area,” Roy said.
Roy hopes to continue being part of the Small Business Saturday line-up every year.
“With us being a little out of town, it’s been great seeing more people come in the door,” Roy said. “We’ve seen people who didn’t even know we were here.”
Tina and Luke Duplessie of Caribou were among the customers at Luke’s Small Engine who have made Small Business Saturday a tradition.
“We want to support our small businesses,” Tina Duplissie said. “[The ornament hunt] is exciting whether you’re a kid or an adult.”
