City declares Small Business Saturday, encourages support

The Woodland City Council declared Saturday, Nov. 27 “Small Business Saturday” as a recognition of the community’s continued commitment to small business success.

The proclamation was the latest in a series of city actions to recognize and invest in small businesses in the community. Roughly a year ago, the city administered the Support Small Business Grant Program to directly assist local businesses as they weathered the pandemic.

The city reported that 42 local businesses received funds to invest in personnel and operations, including the construction of outdoor use spaces. Grant resources partially funded five “parklets” in Downtown Woodland that helped businesses stay afloat and increased foot traffic on Main Street. In addition, the city produced and launched two “Shop Small” videos that highlighted small businesses as the backbone of Woodland’s local economy. The city also collaborated with the Historic Downtown Woodland Group to reinvigorate monthly First Fridays with live music and increased promotional efforts.

Future opportunities to support local small businesses:

Nov. 26 and 27: Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday

• Enjoy live music in Downtown on the evening of Black Friday, Nov. 26 and support all of Woodland’s small businesses on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 27.

• Soroptimist International of Woodland will wrap gifts in front of Haven a Boutique on Black Friday and Shop Small Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Soroptimist will offer this as a community service, but is happy to accept donations.

Dec. 3: First Friday

• Enjoy Downtown Woodland shopping, food and drinks alongside twinkle lights and live music. The free Woodland Dining Pass offers discounts and promotions at local Woodland businesses.

Dec. 6, 7 and 8: Santa Sleigh Rides

• Santa Claus will visit multiple neighborhoods, including Downtown Woodland the evening of Dec. 8.

Dec. 10: Holiday Tree Lighting, Festival of Lights Parade and Parents’ Night Out

• Visit Downtown to enjoy a festive community celebration including a lighted parade, carols, donation barrels, a tree lighting ceremony, live music and more.

• Woodland Public Library Teen Advisory Board and Home Church Youth Group will wrap gifts for free at two locations downtown, including in front of the new mural at the Diggs Building between First and College Street.

• Parents can drop their kids off at the Woodland Community Center for supervised crafts while they enjoy an evening in Downtown Woodland.

Furthermore, the following Downtown businesses will host Santa Claus:

• Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Corner Drug

• Dec. 4: The Nest

• Dec. 11: Little Chances and Jami Ray Boutique

• Dec. 19: Father Paddy’s When residents shop small in Downtown Woodland, they will enjoy holiday decorations and lights courtesy of local business the Twinkle Light Crew, now stretching West past Elm Street and the State Theatre. Lastly, the Woodland Opera House presents “Elf the Musical” from Nov. 19 to Dec. 13 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.