After the long lines and big businesses of Black Friday, Wheaton residents had the chance to support local businesses at Small Business Saturday organized by the Downtown Wheaton Association Nov. 24.
Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit, to encourage shoppers to participate in the “shop local” movement and visit small businesses across the nation the Saturday after Thanksgiving, according to the Small Business Saturday website.
Even though Small Business Saturday has come and gone, the holiday season continues at small businesses in Wheaton, as some are gearing up for the holidays by offering special deals that will continue throughout the season.
One such business is the Genghis Grill, located at 106 N. Hale St.
Derek Bromstead, co-owner and manager of the Genghis Grill, said the restaurant is offering a 20-percent discount on all first Khan’s Katering orders through the end of December. Customers also can purchase a $25 gift card and get $5 off their next visit.
Fans of the Genghis Grill Facebook page have access to other deals, including buy one bowl, get a second half-off.
But perhaps one of the most popular holiday specials at the Genghis Grill is the Tuxedo Bomb.
The chocolate lover’s dream, this dessert is a mix of chocolate mousses, covered in chocolate ganache and topped with white chocolate striping.
“It really is the bomb,” Bromstead said.
And it’s a treat that’s only around for the holidays, until the end of December.
Genghis Grill kicked off the holiday season by participating in Small Business Saturday.
“I really like the concept of Small Business Saturday, and I encourage everybody to try to support it,” Bromstead said. “You’re helping someone who lives and works in the community, and it keeps the money here.”
To prepare for Small Business Saturday, Bromstead said the restaurant advertised with fliers, hanging them around town and passing them out at Wheaton’s Lighted Holiday Parade Nov. 23.
The grill also offered promotions, as well as a new drink — hot mango cider — to help entice people to stop by, Bromstead said.
However, he said this year’s crowd seemed lighter than last year’s, and he wasn’t sure why because he said it had seemed like the economy was doing better than in the past.
Overall, the holiday season is usually a productive time for the grill, with people stopping in for a bite to eat while they shop downtown. And business gets even better in January when people are trying to start the year on a healthy note, so they come to Genghis Grill — a build-your-own-bowl stir fry restaurant — for a healthier option, Bromstead said.
Bromstead opened the Genghis Grill with his wife, Victoria, five years ago, and since then, he said they’ve enjoyed being a part of the city’s business community.
“The support has been great,” Bromstead said. “Our business has grown over the years.”
As the owner of a small business, Bromstead said he tries to support other local businesses in the community as well.
“We think it’s important for us to all stick together and help each other out,” he said.
And Bromstead said he hopes residents will visit the Genghis Grill this holiday season, not just because they will be supporting the local business community, but also because he and his wife enjoy meeting the people of Wheaton.
“We love getting to know the people in our community, and it’s always great getting to do that,” Bromstead said.