Hundreds of people filed in and out of historic Downtown Clarksville in search of some deals to snag on Small Business Saturday.
According to a 2016 study released by Kauffman Index, Tennessee has been on the decline for small businesses.
In 2015, the area was ranked number 11 for small businesses in the nation, but it has dropped down to 20 in 2016’s report.
"It is a shame because small businesses are awesome. The difference between those people and small businesses are this business supports Andrea's family," said Karly Murphy, an associate at Mildred and Mable's.
Andrea Herrera has been the owner of Mildred and Mable's, and fortunately, she hasn't been affected by the decline in small businesses. In fact, she's been helping others get their businesses off the ground.
"I started my business about six years ago, and my concept was to buy an old building and then put other businesses in here with me since I had so much square feet, and then eventually they would be able to go out on their own and go out and pollinate our downtown," said Herrera.
Since Andrea opened her business nearly six years ago, two more businesses have popped up in downtown Clarksville, and she's hoping the two new business on her property will fill store fronts, too.
"Sometimes the rent can be really expensive when you're starting a business, and I thought if I can share what I have and make the rent low for a few years for them to get on their feet and get stable then I can help fill these store fronts," said Herrera.
