BOISE, Idaho — The Downtown Boise Association promoted small business Saturday all week and people came out to see the unique Idaho products that could be found all over downtown.
One of the hot spots was Idaho Made a local business that supports 65 different artists and one of those was Matt Wolfe who put on a live glass blowing demonstration on the sidewalk.
"The local support we get is incredible, Idaho pride is real," said Wolfe who owns Sawtooth Glass Project. "Everybody loves and supports the community artists I believe."
One of the co-owners of Idaho Made told us the local artists start preparing for small business Saturday in the beginning of November and it's the most important day of the year for the 65 artists who work with this local company.
"Everything is hand made here in Idaho," said Molly Seaman a co-owner of Idaho Made. "The whole downtown, the way everyone supports all the other local stores is great it is definitely collaboration over competition."
We found a perfect example of that as American Clothing Gallery allows Artisans for Hope to set up in front of their store, Artisans for Hope sells products that were knitted and sewed by local refugees.
"I have to say it is one of the most rewarding things I have done," said Marci Lingo who works with the non-profit. "These are amazing women who have really sad stories and yet they come togetther and create."
Small business Saturday is an excellent example of how this community comes together to support the local economy.
The Downtown Boise Association also came up with the idea of stamped passports and if shoppers filled up their card by going to local businesses that entered them in a raffle for a chance at winning five different $100 gift cards.
