As online shopping becomes more popular, local businesses are working hard to find their footing this holiday season.
Suzi Bonnett owner of Chocolaterie Stam at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion is ready for the holiday rush. Not just with Christmas chocolates, but to see a boost to her bottom line.
"This is crunch time, starting today in fact," Bonnett said. "We're into our 8th year here and yes traffic is down in the mall in general. And so when the mall loses some stores we too lose business."
Shadow Lake is one of many shopping plazas grappling with staying relevant in the age of online shopping.
General Manager Alicia Peters says while places like Gordman's and Office Max have either closed or merged, it's not a reflection of the shopping center.
"This is it, this is the holidays and substantially more shopping is done during this time period," Peters said. "Here at Shadow Lake, we make it not only opportunities for places to shop, but also experiential and bringing back that small town feel."
Bonnett, too, hopes the experience will keep people coming back.
"The experience of coming in and being able to pick exactly the ones you want," Bonnett said. "Be able to smell the chocolate. just to relax and take your time. We think its something that'll last. That's very much our niche to stay in business."
Local lawmakers and small business interest groups are hoping next year to pass LB 44 in the Nebraska unicameral that will mean online retailers will be subject to the same sales tax as small businesses here.
The groups also presented a proclamation for Small Business Saturday.
