BOARDMAN, Ohio - Shoppers will have an opportunity to win some prizes as they support small businesses in Boardman over the weekend. 

"I've participated in a couple different small business crawls, both as a participant and as a business owner. The best thing about them is how you always find some new store you don't know about. You always find some hidden gem," said POP! Art, Books, Culture owner Craig Duster in a news release.

The "Merry on Market" Small Business Crawl will take place Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14 and is sponsored by small businesses POP! and Love Thy Curves. It features several shops and restaurants on Market Street. 

Customers will get a stamp card at participating businesses and receive one stamp for visiting a particular store, plus a second stamp if they make a purchase there. Nicolena Bell, owner of Love Thy Curves, told 21 News customers will also get 10 bonus stamps if they visit all 13 participating businesses. Each stamp will represent one entry into a drawing for prizes.

“Each business donated something, whether it's a product or a gift card,” Bell said. “We have plants, we have artwork, we have toys, we have books, but lots of gift cards.”

In the news release, organizers said they hope the event will "bring some positive publicity to an area that has been marred by problems with the Southern Park Mall." The mall has faced several issues over the past year under new owner Kohan Retail Investment Group, including unpaid property taxes and a temporary closure in November. 

Bell told 21 News she’s also seen a rise in online shopping over the years that has impacted her clothing business. She argued that consumers miss out when they buy online, especially from fast fashion outlets. 

“[When] you're going into the store, you're shopping, you're able to touch and feel and try on — especially at my shop, where there's curvy girls, we try everything on — so it's nice to be able to make sure something fits, rather than having to pay for shipping to return it,” Bell said. “It's all a one-stop deal, and it's instant gratification, because you don't have to wait on the mailman.”

There’s also the influx of national chains and big box stores on State Route 224, which intersects with Market Street by the mall. 

“We are highlighting all of the small businesses on Market Street,” Bell emphasized. “We want to make sure that they understand that we're still here, we're still relevant, we still have a voice, and we still are there to support them, just like they support us.”

The story of Boardman’s economy is not all negative, business owners said. Kiernan Kiske, owner and operator of Stylogarten Barber Studio, told 21 News people “just need to go out and actually, literally step foot in the businesses” before they judge the township based on developments with the mall. 

“It's very easy to read a negative headline and just base your whole entire opinion off of how things are going in the area,” Kiske said. “But then you step into a small business, see that it's busy, or maybe even see that it's something you like.”

Stylogarten and Slow Hurry, the coffee shop it shares a space with, are not official participants in the crawl. Instead, they will host a “mini-market” Saturday, Kiske said. Several vendors will be in attendance, selling baked goods, vintage bar and kitchenware, custom coffee kits and more.

A complete list of participating businesses, along with their hours, can be found below.

  • Love Thy Curves (6900 Market Street) Friday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • POP! Art, Books, Culture (6949 Market Street) Friday: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
  • Blooming Crazy (8277 Market Street) Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • The Bone Yard Sports Cards & Memorabilia (6940 Market Street) Friday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
  • Combine Brother (7412 Market St) Friday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • The Coffeeshop at Ridgewood (5998 Market Street) Friday: 6:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Galaxy Snax (7510 Market Street #5) Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • Ivory & Birch Boutique (7631 Market Street)  Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  • Mr. Darby's Vintage & Antiques (7386 Market Street) Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Penny Pinchers (6826 Market Street) Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • The Plant Bar (8252 Market Street) Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Renegade Toys (6951 Market Street) Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sespe Burger (8252 Market Street) Friday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.