HOLIDAY SHOPPERS WILL FIND GREAT BUYS THROUGHOUT SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN ON BLACK FRIDAY AND SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, NOV. 29-30
Holiday shoppers seeking great deals will find them throughout Southwest Michigan (SWMI), on Black Friday, November 29, and Small Business Saturday, November 30.
“Discover unique, locally sourced gifts for everyone on your list,” said Paul Knapp, executive director of St. Joe Today. “From gourmet foods and handcrafted wines to one-of-a-kind toys and games, our local merchants have something for everyone.”
Knapp said another appreciated gift this holiday season is a Love Local SWMI Gift Card, redeemable at participating SJT member stores and restaurants throughout SWMI. This digital gift card can be purchased online at stjoetoday.com/giftcards.
SJT acts as a Neighborhood Champion for the American Express Small Business Saturday national campaign and will hand out a limited number of swag items on Saturday, November 30 at the Welcome Center.
According to the Civic Economic Study in Grand Rapids, MI when someone spends $100 at a local business, approximately $68 stays in the local community. Robin Allen, owner of Forever Books, says that shopping small is important because, “Small businesses help define the personality and uniqueness of a community, contributing more locally than any large, online chain by creating jobs, providing donations to local organizations, supporting other small businesses, and circulating money back into the community instead of having it vanish elsewhere. Small businesses provide individualized service, a commitment to excellence, and a personal touch as well. Small businesses are the friendly face of the community, welcoming both locals and visitors and showing the best of what we can do together.”
Local businesses offering Small Business Saturday specials include 1232 Broad St Mercantile, Affinity Salon & Spa, Box Factory for the Arts, Caffe Tosi, Chartreuse Art Co-op, DK Boutique, Edgewater Gifts, Forever Books, Forever Clean Soap Works, G&M Variety, Gallery on the Alley, Glik’s, Grins of St. Joseph, Harbor Town Interiors, House of Colour - Southwest Michigan, Jewelfire Diamond Center, KT's Rasoi, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Lee & Birch, Little Things Play Cafe, Lumberjax Urban Axe Throwing, Maxwell Boutique, Oh My Darlings, Olive Cart, Owen Sisters & Co., Perennial Accents, Plank's Tavern, Spa at Harbor Shores, St. Joe Community Taproom, St. Joe Today, Sweet Haven, The Christmas Tree, The Heritage Museum & Cultural Center, Urban Found, Vineyard 2121, Water Street Glassworks, Waterfront House of Framing & Fashion, White Pine Winery, Wolf's Marine, Yoga Life Studio and Yours Truly, Elizabeth! For a full list of shops and Small Business Saturday specials, visit stjoetoday.com/shopsmall.
To make the most of the giving season, SJT is excited to host Countdown to New Year, a daily giveaway event throughout the month of December! Shoppers earn one entry per $25 purchase (one time or cumulative) at an SJT member business. Qualifying purchases must be made between November 22 and December 15 - earn double points for shopping on Luminary (November 22), Window Wonderland (November 22), Small Business Saturday (November 30) and the Reindog Parade (December 7). Additional qualifying purchases include Love Local SWMI Gift Cards and St. Joe Winter Beer Fest tickets (on sale at 10:00a December 1). Receipts for purchases must be presented to an SJT staff member at the Welcome Center by December 15. Participants will be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local SWMI business. Visit stjoetoday.com/countdown for more information.
Additionally, shoppers and diners alike will enjoy a magical experience this winter season while downtown. Beautiful winter lights and festive holiday music throughout downtown St. Joseph will enhance the holiday atmosphere. The lights will remain up through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff (December 1 through February 15).
Catch these additional upcoming St. Joe Today winter events:
Luminary: November 22 - 5:00p-8:00p
Window Wonderland: November 22 - 5:00p-8:00p
Countdown to New Year: November 22-December 15
Small Business Saturday: November 30 - All Day
Merry & Bright Weekend: December 6-8 - All Weekend
Reindog Parade: December 7 -3:00p
Santa Series: December 7-23 - Select Dates/Times
