Amid a year of chaos and unknowns, many small Denver businesses opened their doors hoping for some support on Small Business Saturday.

As on other Saturdays, people strolled along the 16th Street Mall to eat and shop. And for small businesses like Colorful Colorado, near the corner of 16th and Champa streets, sales were the best they’ve been in months. 

“It’s not as busy as it used to be (pre-pandemic), but today has definitely been busier than it has been recently,” said Joe Quintana, the manager. 

Derek Friedman, the owner of Sportsfan and Sock Em’ Sock Emporium, said his stores across Colorado and on the 16th Street Mall all saw increased traffic. He said it shows how much the community cares about local businesses. 

“To have people come in and support small businesses, especially those based in Denver and Colorado, it makes me realize how great and giving our community can be with their time and how they spend their money on gifts, especially when anyone can go to a big box store, or even Amazon,” Friedman said.

Customers went into Colorful Colorado and walked out with bags of Colorado sweatshirts, magnets and even socks. At Sportsfan, customers stocked up on Broncos and Rockies apparel. 

Kailee Schmidt, newly arrived to Denver from California, said it was important for her to get out and support local businesses.

“These businesses are what make each community special,” she said, while walking down 16th Street. 

Despite profit margins projected to be 40% to 50% below a year ago, and despite being broken into multiple times this year, costing tens of thousands of dollars, Friedman says he’s staying optimistic about the upcoming year.

“We’re not going to be defined about what happens to us, and we’re choosing to focus on what’s to come and we’re excited about 2021 and, obviously, the rest of the year,” Friedman said.