Tariffs put damper on “Small Business Saturday” for Baltimore bookstore co-founder

BALTIMORE, Md. (WBFF) — Despite an influx in sales on “Small Business Saturday,” local bookstore co-founder Joe Carlson is upset over paying tariffs on small trinkets.

“It’s usually the best day of the year. It’s a real bummer to then learn that we have a $200 tariff to pay on a box of these very cute, little items. For what reason?” Carlson told FOX45 News. “It just hurts us.”

The box of items included handcrafted pieces such as a sun with the message “Make the world a better place.”

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Charm City Books is one of seven local businesses that participated in the non-profit Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s “Small Business Saturday” tour on Nov. 29.

“A key component of Downtown Partnership’s economic development programs includes connecting small businesses to funding, providing technical assistance, and activating vacant opportunities, aligning with citywide efforts to build an inclusive, diversified economy, as outlined in the Downtown RISE Strategic Action Plan,” the non-profit said, via a press release.

“(Tariffs are) not helpful, and this is the opposite of the spirit of supporting small businesses and main streets or in communities, in beautiful cities like Baltimore,” Carlson said.

Liz Pancotti, Managing Director of Policy & Advocacy at Groundwork Collaborative said, “Unfortunately, for small businesses, it is more difficult for them to eat those tariff impacts on their bottom lines.”

But, Carlson appreciates the community’s support.

“It’s such an important day of the year for people to demonstrate how important locally-owned businesses and organizations are to the economic and cultural lifeblood of a city,” he said.