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I’ve owned Miss Pixie’s Furnishings & Whatnot in Washington, D.C., for over 27 years. My shop is a mix of vintage home furnishings, artwork, ceramics, and all kinds of whatnots I purchase at auctions. It all started back in 1997 when I somehow stumbled into a vintage shop, a tiny 500-square-foot space that was for rent. I had long wanted to have a vintage shop of my own, and the owner was ending his lease, so that was my golden opportunity! The rest is history, as they say.
I really appreciate the relationships I’ve built with my community and customers through Miss Pixie’s. For over two decades, we’ve evolved together, and a highlight of each year for me is Small Business Saturday®. We’ve participated in Small Business Saturday since it first started, and it’s become something of a tradition for us. Small Business Saturday is a celebration of the small businesses that make up neighborhoods like ours. It brings a sense of connection that goes beyond just buying and selling things.
What Makes Small Business Saturday Special
We offer a 10% discount every year for Small Business Saturday, but what excites me is how the event brings people together. It’s a day when the energy in the shop feels different – like a celebration. We see a mix of regular customers and new faces, all excited to support local businesses and discover something special.
Small Business Saturday is about creating a welcoming space where people want to come in, browse, and feel like they belong. We’ve always worked to make sure the shop feels inviting, not just on Small Business Saturday but year-round. For Small Business Saturday, though, we do a bit more. We decorate, promote special deals on social media, and hang signs from American Express to help get the word out.
I love partnering with other local businesses for Small Business Saturday because it adds another layer of connection. Every year, we sell vintage holiday ornaments that I’ve purchased at auctions. In the past, we’ve hosted local artists who set up in our shop, selling vintage clothing and jewelry. Those events have been a huge hit with customers. People love the idea of supporting multiple local vendors at once, and it helps us all reach new customers. That’s what makes Small Business Saturday special – it’s not just about increasing sales, but about building relationships and working together with other small businesses in the area. This year we’ll have vendors again in our garage pop-up space.
The Heart of Miss Pixie’s: Our Neighborhood
Our neighborhood, Adams Morgan, is a big part of what makes Miss Pixie’s special. Adams Morgan is a vibrant, eclectic part of D.C., full of row houses, small restaurants, and quirky local shops like mine. Even though it’s right in the middle of the city, it has a small-town feel. Everybody knows their neighbors, and weekends here, especially Saturdays, are a big deal. On Columbia Road and on 18th Street, just a short walk from my shop, you’ll find coffee shops, bars with live music, and restaurants buzzing with activity. People are always out and about, grabbing brunch, shopping, or just strolling through the neighborhood.
I’ve seen firsthand how small businesses can shape a neighborhood, and Small Business Saturday is a celebration of that.
On Small Business Saturday, the whole community comes alive. Customers don’t just pop in for a quick look – they spend time in the shop and chat with us as they explore. It’s that cozy feel in the middle of a big city that makes Adams Morgan unique, and Small Business Saturday fits right into that vibe.
I’ve had customers who’ve been coming to Miss Pixie’s since the very beginning. Some of them started bringing their kids with them when they were little, and now those kids are grown up and shopping for themselves. I love seeing those familiar faces each year, and Small Business Saturday gives me a chance to reconnect with the community that’s supported me for so long.
The Evolution of Miss Pixie’s
Miss Pixie’s has gone through a lot of changes over the years. At one point, we had a 4,000-square-foot space on 14th Street, but a few years ago, the rent became too much, so we decided to downsize. It was a tough decision, but it turned out to be the right one. Now, we’re in a 1,100-square-foot space, just a few doors down from my house, and I’ve loved reconnecting with the neighborhood on a more intimate level. Downsizing has allowed me to focus on curating more specific, intentional pieces for the shop, and it’s given me a chance to get back to the heart of what Miss Pixie’s is all about – finding treasures and sharing them with people who appreciate them.
You never know what you might find at Miss Pixie’s. I source almost everything from auctions, and every week brings new surprises. I go to Maryland regularly to attend a couple of different auctions, and each has its own energy. One often has estate sales, where I find international items, while the other offers more local, country-style pieces. The thrill of auctions has always been addictive for me. There’s something about the competitive nature of bidding and the excitement of not knowing what might come up next. Once I fell ill in New Orleans and had to be hospitalized but still bid by phone for the auction. I didn’t want to miss a thing!
I’ve always worked to keep Miss Pixie’s affordable. It’s important to me that people feel like they’re getting a good deal, whether they’re buying their first piece of art for thirty dollars or something more high-end. Sometimes, I’ll sell something and realize later that it was worth much more, but that’s part of the fun. It keeps people coming back, knowing they might walk away with a hidden gem.
The Future of Miss Pixie's
As I think about the future, retirement is on my mind. Downsizing the shop was the first step in slowing down, but I’m not quite ready to step away completely. Running Miss Pixie’s has been in my blood for over 27 years, and it’s hard to imagine not doing it anymore. I still love the thrill of finding that perfect piece at auction and seeing a customer fall in love with it.
Small Business Saturday plays a role in keeping that excitement alive. Building a community like ours in Adams Morgan is about creating a space where people can come together, support local businesses, and feel connected to something real. I’ve seen firsthand how small businesses can shape a neighborhood, and Small Business Saturday is a celebration of that.
As for what’s next? I’m taking it day by day. Maybe I’ll retire in a few years, or maybe I’ll keep going until I just can’t anymore. Either way, Miss Pixie’s will always have a place in the heart and soul of D.C.
Want to learn more about how to encourage your customers to Shop Small on Small Business Saturday? Visit the Small Business Saturday Resource Hub for marketing materials and business insights that can help you engage with your customers and find new ones. You can also read stories from 15 small businesses that have seen success on Small Business Saturday and beyond.
As told to Cara Cannella, American Express Business Class freelance contributor
Photos: Courtesy of Miss Pixie's
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