Yesterday was Small Business Saturday—usually the busiest, most electric day of the year for so many local shops, including ours at Jake’s On Main – Life is Good St. Charles. But Mother Nature had other plans.
With heavy snow in the morning and less-than-ideal roads, many of us small businesses still opened our doors, hopeful and ready. But as the day unfolded, sales were… well, not even close to a normal Saturday. After the sidewalks were cleared and the roads improved enough for my team to arrive safely, I held onto hope that customers might still bundle up and head out.
Eventually, I headed home determined to make the best of an unusual day. I decided to put up our family Christmas tree. And as I did, it hit me: maybe this snow-covered slowdown was a gift.
Scrolling through Facebook and Instagram, I saw smiling kids building snowmen, families sledding, dogs bounding through white yards, and photos of peaceful, snowy streets. It made me realize that sometimes the universe presses “pause” for us—reminding us to slow down, be present, and soak in the holiday weekend without rushing.
Of course, small businesses feel days like this. We rely on community support, and we’re incredibly grateful for every person who chooses to shop local—yesterday, today, and every day. But I also believe in the beauty of moments like these, where family, fun, and connection take center stage.
If you didn’t make it out yesterday, that’s okay. We hope you enjoyed the magic of the snow day—and we’ll be here with warm smiles whenever you’re ready to stop in.
Thank you for supporting local, for supporting community, and for supporting Jake’s On Main. Life is good. 
