With Black Friday just around the corner, shopping is on many people’s minds. But don’t forget about Small Business Saturday! This special holiday lands on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 25th, 2017) and the message is simple: SHOP LOCAL! The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local businesses to promote healthy commerce in our region. Many will be running specials in honor of the Small Business Saturday holiday and also giving away reusable “Shop Small” fabric bags. The Springfield Co-op will be offering free food and beverage samples, and 20% off all non-sale gift items. They are also hosting a town-wide small business raffle. Customers may pick up punch cards at their location - if you shop at 3 or more local businesses, you will be entered to win a raffle bag! The Gallery at the VAULT is offering 20% off Danforth Ornaments. They will also be having an Open House on December 9th with live music, and a Men’s Night on December 14th. (Fellas, this is a great chance to purchase some special items for the special people in your life, and get some help with the gift wrapping!) Dark Mountain Games will be having some great sales on an assortment of merchandise for Black Friday and carrying those deals straight through Small Business Saturday. In addition, Dark Mountain Coins can be redeemed at twice their value on November 25th! And don’t forget about Clever Cow Designs, downstairs - for all your promotional needs. Alaura’s New Nails will be offering $50 gift certificates for the price of $40! And our newest downtown shop, Shannon’s Upscale Resale, will be serving refreshments and if you sign up for her email list by November 23rd, you’ll receive a coupon for 20% off one item. The Edgar May Health and Recreation Center will be offering some amazing one-day specials! Purchase any class or visit punch card and save $10. You can also save 10% on any membership purchased that day, which could save you more than $60 on an annual membership! Stop by the EdgarMay on Saturday, November 25th or call 802-885-2568 to take advantage of these great deals. Tina’s Hallmark Shop will be serving delicious treats created by Cuppity Kakes and offering a sale on boxed holiday cards and gift wrap: Buy 1 Get 1 ½ Off. They will also be selling totes for $9.95 that you can fill with merchandise and then receive 20% off everything in the bag. Woodbury Florist is featuring taste testing of all their specialty foods. They are also running a Holiday Rewards Program: For every $10 you spend, you and get $1 back in Rewards Dollars. On Small Business Saturday, Rewards earnings will be doubled! Be sure to sign up for their holiday classes – everything from putting together an Outdoor Christmas Arrangement to creating a Holiday Centerpiece. And don’t forget about Mail Away Wreaths – a perfect way to spread holiday cheer! Looking for something fun to do with the kiddos? Catch a flick at Springfield Cinemas 3. Buy one large popcorn, get one free! Jake’s South Street Market will be running a raffle for a gift basket filled with wonderful Vermont products. Route 106 North Market and Deli will be offering double punches on their Grinder Club Cards. Young’s Furniture will be running storewide sales, and all sale prices will include tax. After all that shopping, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite, so be sure to treat yourself to a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Sheri’s Place will be offering a free soda with the purchase of an entree. The Hartness House Inn will be open for lunch and dinner, and hosting a very special event on Small Business Saturday: the Springfield Area Parent Child Center’s T’was the Night Before Christmas Live Interactive Experience! (10am – 7:40pm) Tickets are limited, so be sure to order yours now: www.twasthenightlive.eventbright.com. The Inn at Weathersfield and the Hartness House Inn will also be participating in the Okemo Valley Inndulgence Tour, Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd. This self-guided two-day tour features festive food and specialty drinks, as well as delightful holiday decorations, raffles, and more. Contact Julie at innkeeper@goldenstageinn.com to reserve your tickets. For one day only, at Black Rock Steakhouse, with the purchase a $50 gift card, you will get a $10 gift card free! Grab some local brews from Joe’s Discount Beverage, open 9am to 9pm on Small Business Saturday. Trout River Brewery will be having their last open house before they open their tasting room. From noon to 4pm on November 25th they will be selling new merchandise, and 4-packs of your favorite Trout River Brews. This will also be your first chance to buy a Mug Club Membership for their new tasting room! Stop in and pick up some gifts for the holiday season! After you’ve wined and dined, it wouldn’t hurt to burn a few calories! And have some fun! Our favorite bowling alley, Up your Alley, will be running Open Bowl from 11am to 7pm and Cosmic Bowling from 7pm to 10pm! The holidays are a great time to support our local economy, so Think Big and Shop Small! Visit the Chamber’s Facebook Page and Like our Small Business Saturday Event to stay in the loop!
TOP TEN REASONS TO SHOP LOCAL
1. Locally owned one-of-a-kind businesses have character! They add to the unique charm of our community.
2. Small local businesses build strong communities by encouraging neighborhood relationships, both social and economic. Area businesses give back to local causes and help to support vibrant town centers.
3. Local ownership means decisions are being made locally by people who live in the community and who are directly impacted by those decisions.
4. Keeping your money local enriches the whole community. Compared to chain stores, locally owned businesses recycle a much larger percentage of their revenue back into the local economy.
5. Local businesses mean local jobs! In some sectors, local businesses provide better wages and benefits that chains do.
6. Economic innovations and prosperity are fueled by entrepreneurship. Local businesses provide opportunities for families to move out of low-wage jobs and into the middle class.
7. Local stores have small footprints. Compared to big box stores and shopping malls, neighborhood shops make efficient use of public services and require less infrastructure.
8. Town centers that feature locally owned businesses help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable communities, which reduces sprawl, automobile use, habitat loss, and air and water pollution.
9. A competitive local marketplace is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices.
10. Local business ownership guarantees a broader range of product choices – small businesses hand-select their products based on their own interests, and the needs and preferences of their local customers.