How to survive the area’s Small Business Saturday
Today is part of the longest and most intense commercially driven weekend of the year.
Unless you’ve been asleep for the last decade, you are very familiar with the retail rage of Black Friday and the Cyber Monday phenomenon that sprang from it. These two events have a much more national focus, but there’s a local spotlight that occurs on Small Business Saturday.
There are plenty of reasons to consider shopping on Small Business Saturday, but perhaps that most compelling is that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business remains in the local community.
Today is the ninth annual Small Business Saturday, focused on supporting the diverse range of local businesses that help create jobs, boost the economy, and enhance neighborhoods around the country.
“It seems we see more and more stories about big-name department stores shuttering across the country,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP). “But in downtown Dayton, retail has a different story: We’re watching the rise of locally owned businesses.”
Val Beerbower of the Dayton Development Partnership offers some suggestions for how to make the most of Small Business Saturday:
Start day with the perfect shopping fuel: We’re talking brunch. Nothing supports those shopping bag-holding muscles like a handcrafted bloody Mary or a fine mimosa. And you’ll need stamina to sift through sales racks to find the perfect gift for all those folks on your list, so carb-load with beignets and bagels and bacon!
Lily’s Bistro in Dayton will be offering $5 Bloody Mary cocktails all day.
Look for some unique places to shop: Small business has been booming downtown. Shop the St. Clair Lofts. Gifting options include all-natural hair and skincare products, home goods made from upcycled materials, delicious cupcakes and baked goods, men’s casual and upscale apparel, salon services and Dayton-original haircare lines. Or you could head to The Contemporary — formerly Dayton Visual Arts Center. They’ve got their annual gift gallery, featuring locally produced artworks ranging from fine to functional pieces.
Looking to buy locally made gifts for your friends and family this holiday season? From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., visit Market at the Park at 221 Crane St. Each of the vendors will also have Free Small Business Saturday canvas bags free with purchase while supplies last. A new mini-coffee and snack bar will open today as well. Featuring 10 permanent vendor spaces, the Market also includes rotating resident vendors as well as several guest artists with work on display throughout the building.
Here are some additional recommendations on local businesses worth checking out by community:
■ Dayton Oregon District: Hedges & Wolf, Brim on Fifth, Omega Music, Deaf Monty’s Wine, Luna Botanicals, Eclectic Essentials, Gem City Catfe, Spice Paradise, Heart Mercantile, Belle of Dayton Distillery, Clash Gallery & Boutique.
■ Miamisburg: A Taste of Wine, Curious Styles & Coffee Shop, Taylor Monroe, Christmas on Main Street, BlushN’Grey Boutique, The Art of History, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop
■ Oakwood: Whispers @ Home, Toasty Barker Boutique, Wild Poppy, J. Gilbert’s, Madam Delluc Artisan Chocolatier, Get Dressed! Boutique, The Little Exchange Fine Gifts, Bahar & Reza
■ Troy: Ark & Echo, Three Weird Sisters, The Blue Bow Boutique, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, Harris Jeweler, Jay & Mary’s Book Center, Hittle’s Jewelry, Up and Running
■ Tipp City: Merchant 31, Hapinstance Designs, Topsy Turvy Toys, Living Simply Soap, That Place on Main, The Hotel Gallery.