Where to shop on Small Business Saturday
‘Tis the season to curse at the mall traffic, write an angry Facebook post and rant about your day to your loved ones. Wait... what?
Okay, so maybe Thanksgiving Day and the allied Black Friday aren’t always smooth like gravy. Maybe the holidays are a bit lumpier like stuffing or sour like Aunt Carol’s fruitcake. With enough stress-triggers to make a grown man cry, getting through the holidays takes a healthy serving of optimism and a heaping side of gratitude.
Before you try to tackle the crowds of Black Friday at the malls, spend another day relaxing with the fam and save your shopping savvy for Saturday, when local San Diego businesses will open with deals for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26.
Little Italy
On Small Business Saturday, Little Italy shops are coming together to offer deals encouraging San Diegans to support the locally-owned stores. Pick up a “Shop Small, Shop Little Italy Passport” that maps out participating businesses and their deals. More than 15 businesses are participating, including Azzura Capri, Meyer Fine Art, LITTLE Apple and Caffe Italia.
Did you know? Seven years ago, American Express created Small Business Saturday in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: getting more customers during the busy holiday shopping season.
Leucadia
The first 150 shoppers who spend $50 at a participating business on Leucadia’s Small Business Saturday will receive a limited edition Leucadia print by artist Daniella Manini. Live music will play at three different locations, and some competitive fun goes down at a scavenger hunt featuring more than $1300 in prizes. The first clue of the scavenger hunt will be given to volunteers who show up for the clean-up at Leucadia Floral and Paint at 9 a.m.
North Park
Skip the mall and head to North Park for their Small Business Saturday celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an appearance from Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Power through your shopping list at popular businesses such as Mimi & Red, Geographie Shop, Pigment and more. The Studio Door will have sidewalk sales featuring local artists and live musicians. North Park is also holding a scavenger hunt starting on Nov. 19 with a chance for savvy shoppers to win big.
The scavenger hunt runs from Nov. 19 through 26. Participants can purchase a scavenger hunt clue card for $5 at the North Park Thursday Market or Torque Moto Cafe, which then leads them to 10 local North Park shops to pick up a free trinket. The first person to figure out and visit all 10 spots and bring the corresponding trinkets to the North Park Main Street booth set up at Ray Street and University Ave. on Nov. 26 will win $200.
Normal Heights
At the Adams Avenue Spirit Stroll, attendees can sample holiday themed cocktails at 14 different retail shops located on Adams Avenue. Yep, the adult beverages will be located inside the stores, so you can sip while your shop and celebrate Small Business Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. Find cocktails from Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant at Mona Lizzy’s Art Studio; drinks from The Rabbit Hole at Home Start Thrift Boutique; and sips from Sycamore Den at Rove: Adventure Shop.
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