WEST BATON ROUGE —- As Small Business Saturday approaches on November 30, 2024, the West Baton Rouge Small Business Council is preparing for a parish-wide celebration of local entrepreneurs and their creative offerings. The event, running from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, promises an exciting mix of shopping, food, and community connection, with seven main locations hosting over 45 businesses and pop-up vendors.
“This will actually be my first year participating,” shared Jamie Jones, owner of Love Jane, one of the featured vendors. A passionate food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer, Jamie shared the inspiration behind her business.
“Love Jane is named after my grandmother, who raised me and called me Jane. She loved entertaining, and from a young age, I developed that same joy. My goal is to create connection, comfort, and memories through food and storytelling.”
Jamie first launched her food blog, Love-Jane.com, in 2020 and has since expanded her offerings to include catering, meal prep, and a sweet treat shop inspired by her children. For Small Business Saturday, Jamie will be stationed near Court Street Café in Port Allen, offering her signature cookies, pecan candy, and savory dishes like shrimp and grits with buttermilk biscuits.
A celebration of community and creativity
Annie Claire Bass, one of the event’s organizers, spoke about the event’s origins and evolution.
“We started this in 2019 or 2020 with a handful of local businesses, and it’s grown into a full parish-wide celebration. It’s amazing to see how it brings people together to support local dreams.”
The event will feature diverse vendors across seven host locations, including:
- Brian’s Furniture in Port Allen
- The Barn in Erwinville
- The Style Bar in Brusly
Each location will host 7–10 pop-up vendors offering everything from handcrafted gifts and jewelry to baked goods and holiday décor.
Supporting local businesses
For vendors like Jamie, Small Business Saturday is about more than sales; it’s a chance to engage with the community directly.
“Shopping small connects customers with the people behind the products. It’s an investment in local dreams and creativity.”
How to join the fun
Maps of participating locations and vendor lists can be found on the West Baton Rouge Small Business Council website or their Facebook event page.
“This event is about celebrating the creativity and diversity that small businesses bring to our community,” Annie Claire added. “It’s a chance for everyone to connect and support one another in meaningful ways.”
For more details or to plan your day, visit wbrsbc.com.
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