It’s official, the Mesquite City Council has declared Saturday, Nov. 28 as “Small Business Saturday.” The purpose of the proclamation is to encourage residents to shop at local stores this Saturday to help small businesses kick off the holiday season.
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 nationwide and has become an annual event in the U.S. as well as in the United Kingdom. Originally promoted by American Express, the shopping day has grown and is officially recognized by the Small Business Administration and many local and state governments.
Owner Denene Torgenson, DDT RV and Outdoor Supplies, stands in front of her new store in the Brickyard Plaza on W. Mesquite Blvd. Photo by Burton Weast.
In Mesquite there are many small business holiday shopping choices. One new business is DDT RV and Outdoor Supplies that just opened this September in the Brickyard Shopping Center on W. Mesquite Blvd. Owner Denene Torgenson is originally from Salina Utah, and used to come to Mesquite for weekends in her RV. She tried to look for parts and found that she had to go to St. George and wondered why a community with so many retired people and RV’s didn’t have a place to get parts.
Torgenson also has a unique product, the “Ultimate Dutch Oven” which was invented by her father, so she decided to add outdoor items such as cookware. The dutch oven comes in several configurations and can be purchased in cast iron or aluminum. The unique feature of the oven is a center cone that spreads heat much like a convection oven. “I also have a cookbook for the oven written by myself and my brother,” says Torgenson.
Checks-N-Mail, in the Brickyard Plaza on W. Mesquite Blvd. has many Christmas gifts available in part of its new store area. Photo by Burton Weast.
Another business in the Brickyard is Checks-N-Mail, which has been in Mesquite for over 15 years. Owners Jack and Penny Gilliam just expanded the store in March. In addition to mail boxes and shipping services they have an extensive gift store including used books and puzzles.
Penny Gilliam says the new expanded shipping area “allows us to pack all kinds and types of gifts for the holidays.” The company offers shipping via FedEx, UPS, DHL and even the US Post Office.
Gilliam is originally from Ohio, but after several moves came to Las Vegas where she had a Checks-N-Mail store near UNLV. “Business was good but after my home was broken into it just wasn’t the same,” said Gilliam. Looking for a safe place and friendly town led her to Mesquite.
In addition to gifts Checks-N-Mail sells vapors and candles and has a constantly changing inventory.
These are just two of the businesses that deserve your support and make Mesquite a great place to live and shop. See below for more businesses participating this week:
