Today is Black Friday, a day traditionally associated with big sales, long lines, and consumer frenzy. While I’ve typically refrained from participating in the Black Friday shopping madness, this year was different. I decided to venture out and join the sales at my local airsoft field, and what happened next left me pleasantly surprised.
The Mystery Box
At my local airsoft field, they were offering “mystery boxes” for 60 Black Friday shoppers. Inside these boxes, there was a 1/10 chance to win a brand-new airsoft rifle or pistol. To my amazement, I was one of the fortunate winners! It felt like a stroke of luck and a fantastic start to the holiday shopping season.
A Reflection on Black Friday
My journey with Black Friday and its significance in American culture has been an evolving one. A few years ago, I worked as a maintenance technician at Target, a position that was not very customer-facing, but still required me to work alongside the cashiers and salesfloor staff. Black Friday was a mandatory workday for all employees, and as the years passed, the sales events began encroaching on Thanksgiving itself. Eventually, I found myself at work during what should have been a time for celebrating Thanksgiving dinner with my family – I did not enjoy it at all.
This experience was one of the early signs that something was shifting in America as I knew it. To me, it seemed like the hyper-consumerism machine was starting to overshadow the holiday of gratitude, turning it into just another opportunity for retailers to profit from imported, low-quality goods. I never looked at Target the same after that.
A Vow to Support Local Businesses
As the years went by, I watched with a heavy heart as some of my favorite local businesses and small establishments in the Seattle area went under. When the pandemic hit, the situation grew even bleaker. Institutions with over a century of history were closing their doors, and countless local businesses faced their final days. Even my local airsoft shop tried to open a branch in Seattle, but with the constant theft all too common these days, they closed down that location.
In response, I made a vow to myself: I would make a more concerted effort to support the local businesses that truly mattered to me. This didn’t mean mindlessly buying unnecessary items just to show support. Instead, it meant that if a local business supported my interests and had what I needed, even if it cost a little more than buying it online, I would choose to support them. It was about keeping money in my community, prioritizing service, my local townspeople and quality over convenience and lower prices.
Supporting My Local Airsoft Shop
My local airsoft shop embodies the kind of business I wanted to support. Located conveniently close to my home, but in a rough part of town, it serves my local community of fellow airsoft enthusiasts. While their prices may be slightly higher than what I could find online, they more than make up for it with exceptional service, expertise, and a sense of camaraderie among fellow players.
So, on this Black Friday, I made an exception. While I remain steadfast in my refusal to shop on Thanksgiving, I was more than willing to make an effort on Black Friday for a business I truly admired. I wanted to show my support for their dedication to the airsoft community, and today, that decision paid off in a way I couldn’t have anticipated.
Paying It Forward
As a token of my gratitude and to pay it forward, I’ve made a commitment to continue bringing my business to this local shop and encouraging my friends in the hobby to do the same. It’s a small but meaningful way to show my appreciation and ensure that businesses like these continue to thrive or even survive.
In a world where big retailers often dominate the holiday shopping season, it’s heartening to remember that there are local businesses out there that rely on our support. This Black Friday, my experience taught me that supporting these businesses can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes. I hope you, too, will find local businesses that resonate with you and that you’ll consider supporting them in return. Together, we can make a difference and help our communities thrive.
-Ryan
