Check The North Loop For Small Business Saturday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Once the dust settles from black Friday's madness, many local shops will open their doors Saturday and drop their prices for their community.
It may be Black Friday today, but locally-speaking, many are looking forward to tomorrow: Small Business Saturday.
Many of these small businesses can't compete with blowouts the big box retailers have. So, for the first time, North Loop retailers are banding together in the hopes that shoppers will support local business.
"We were really excited about the idea of galvanizing all of us together to make a big push toward supporting these great local stores," Owner Handsome Bikes' Ben Morrison said.
Morrison's shop is located on Washington Avenue in Minneapolis. He heard about the "Small Business Saturday" concept originally launched by American Express. He decided to make it happen in one of the hottest retail locations in the state -- the North Loop.
"What was really exciting to us is the idea that there are so many great retailers down here ... but we all do different things. We don't step on each other's toes. There's plenty for room for everybody," he said.
Twelve stores are participating, from men's and women's clothing to home goods and bike shops.
Ashley Kilcher, owner of Roe Wolfe, is new to the neighborhood. Her women's store is offering discounts to shoppers, plus she's giving local designers who don't have retail space room under her roof for their own pop-up shops.
"Small Business Saturday is a fun day for us. It's a day to celebrate our local clients as well as them coming and supporting us," Kilcher said.
Ultimately, Small Business Saturday is local businesses' response to the big box retailers' Black Friday.
"We are hoping to have new people to come in, hoping to celebrate being a local store," FinnStyle manager Elina Koivusaari said.
And, as these owners have found, Minnesotans are smart shoppers who like to support their own.
"They like supporting the guys down the street and that their money is being spent in the community and stays in the community," Morrison said.
Below is a list of participating stores and the deals they're offering:
Arrow: Bloody Mary Bar & raffle for $500 gift certificate.
Askov Finlayson: Hamms Beer & Water for guests.
C'est Chic Boutique: Double loyalty points for Small Business Saturday only, 30-50% off selected items, drawings, Petite Sweets pastries, apple cider & carolers 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
D. NOLO: 20% off all winter coats and scarves.
FinnStyle: All iittala 20% off, select merchandise 20 – 60% off, free reusable FinnStyle tote w/ any purchase, gift-wrapping, glögg & snacks.
Handsome Cycles: 25 – 50% store-wide, snacks & beverages.
MartinPatrick3: Select merchandise will be on sale, snacks & beverages.
Mitrebox Framing Studio: 20% off storewide including custom framing.
One on One Bicycle Studio: 25 – 50% off everything in the store, snacks & beverages.
Roe Wolfe: 20% off storewide, including an additional 20% off already marked down items. Select local brands will be doing pop-up shops in the store and be offering the 20% off as well. Plus, hot beverage bar and snacks.
Statement Boutique: 20% off store-wide, one-of-a-kind-jewelry hand-picked by Stacey Johnson available only for Small Business Saturday, snacks, wine & carolers.
