Once the turkey is picked clean, the dishes are done and the last bite of pie sitting in a pool of melted ice cream on your dessert plate, most savvy shoppers start thinking about Black Friday. You know the one … long lines, people shoving people out of the way, fighting over that last toy or game!!
Well … we’ve got a better idea!
If you’re thinking of moving to a new neighborhood, now is the time to consider Small Business Saturday as your shopping day of choice. Small Business Saturday is the day after Black Friday and is a great day to get to know the shops, cafés, boutiques and other offerings of your new neighborhood.
Take a leisurely stroll down the streets, duck into a doorway of a store you’ve been meaning to visit but just haven’t gotten around to, and find unique gifts for your family and friends.
Small businesses are what make communities special. When you check out a new neighborhood, you want to know that small businesses can thrive there. It is in the corner café that you meet new friends, find out what’s happening in town and get to know your neighbors.
As you walk around, observe if establishments have Facebook stickers on their doors. Connect with them online to find out about specials, or read what others are saying about them.
While you’re there, post a positive recommendation on Yelp or TripAdvisor. Your new friends and neighbors will appreciate the boost.
Here are a few of our favorite local small businesses,
Lovely Paperie and Gifts, 19315 Detroit Road Rocky River, OH This adorable gift boutique is the place to be when shopping for unique, personalized items. Everything is hand picked and they work with over 100 vendors to bring you the most useful, thoughtful and modern gifts.
Knuth’s Boutique, Jefferson Square, 26141 Detroit Avenue, Westlake, Ohio 44145 Established as a small family business in 1960, they offer high-end and affordable fashions from around the world. They are the spot for hand-picked, up to the minute styles, and personalized attention. With footwear, clothing and accessories, Knuth’s has you covered from head to toe.
Tart Boutique, 20145 Lake Rd. Rocky River, OH 44116 An eclectic consignment shop specializing in vintage, new, and locally made housewares and furnishings. Featuring originally designed t-shirts and tea towels that are hand printed on site. Inventory changes weekly!
Cara’s Boutique, Promenade at Crocker Park 30179 Detroit Rd Westlake, OH 44145 Cara’s Boutique has the largest selection of Pandora Jewelry, Brighton Accessories and Vera Bradley in the greater Cleveland area. They shop the marketplace to bring you the best that today’s designers have to offer in accessories and clothing.
Or you can catch an array of local vendors at the Westside Flea inside the Church on the Rise, 3550 Crocker Road, Westlake. Vendors will have antiques, arts, jewelry, crafts, food items, vintage clothing, home decor and more for sale from 10:00am-4:00pm on Nov. 28. There also will be food trucks, raffles and music. Admission is free, but organizers encourage shoppers to bring canned or boxed food items to donate to the North Ridgeville Community Care food pantry.
As always, if you have questions about a community, your local real estate professional can give you information and resources to help you connect, learn and become a part of
