Most people are familiar with Black Friday, a crazy day when doorbuster specials pull crowds into big box stores and Amazon online orders kick off in a frenzy. But, are you familiar with Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is a special day created as an antidote for Black Friday. We know that healthy cities have lots of independent shops that the locals all support for their deep knowledge and unparalleled customer service. According to Quint Studer, author of Building a Vibrant Community: How Citizen-Powered Change Is Reshaping America, “A strong small business presence is what gives a community its character. It creates that sense of ‘place’ that attracts tourists, young people and empty nesters, a talented workforce, and yes, bigger businesses and other investors who drive further growth.”
Consider the benefits of shopping local:
- You’ll help create jobs in the community.
- Your tax dollars stay local.
- Small businesses give back to the community.
- Shopping at one local business helps other local businesses.
- Small businesses offer more unique products.
- It helps keep communities diverse.
Feeling inspired? Here are some small business shopping ideas for newcomers to Northeast Ohio who want to support local and explore their new town:
Museum/Non-Profit Gift Shops:
Cleveland Botanical Garden’s Garden Store
Cleveland Museum of Art’s Museum Store
MOCA Cleveland (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Western Reserve History Center
Cleveland MetroParks Nature Shops
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Gift Shop
Neighborhoods Densely Packed with Boutique Shops:
Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood – Mostly centered around W. 25th and Lorain Avenue
Cleveland’s Larchmere Boulevard – Just a block north of Shaker Square
Cedar/Fairmount and Cedar/Lee and Coventry Village shopping districts in Cleveland Heights
Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood – Mostly clustered along W. 14th between Starkweather and I-490 and on Professor Street
Rocky River – Downtown River, Old River and stores clustered along Lake Road
Lakewood – a recent transplant we worked with said he and his wife spent 3 hours walking downt Madison Avenue and Detroit Road to check out all the cool little boutique shops & restaurants that populate these streets for more than a mile
Cleveland’s Little Italy – An urban neighborhood on Mayfield Road, lots of art galleries clustered here to support local artists!
Chagrin Falls – historic downtown anchored along Main Street
Hudson – majority of the shops in First & Main are chains, but clustered along N. Main near clocktower, lots of boutiques
Pepper Pike – Landerwood Plaza at Rt 91 & Chagrin Blvd has boutique shops
Shaker Heights – Van Aken District at intersection of Warrensville Center Road & Chagrin Blvd, c’mon you know you want to check out this brand new lifestyle center which has a lot of new restaurants and shops that opened in 2018
Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District – centered at W. 65th & Detroit
Medina (Medina County)- historic downtown square complete with gazebo
Elyria (Lorain County) – check out all the deals they have lined up for Small Business Saturday
Events:
The Happening at The Ham – the Hamilton complex at E. 53rd and Hamilton in MidTown, includes wood workers, RBX consignment shop
Merchant’s Mrkt at Legacy Village – 35 local makers and merchants pop up shops between Loft & Pier One
Cleveland Bazaar at Winterfest – Lots of shops in downtown Cleveland surrounding the annual tree lighting ceremony on Public Square
Local Artists:
W. 78th Street Studios – Started as a car factory then became an American Greetings studio and is now an art collaborative with 60 artists who sell their wares in this three-story warehouse just down the street from the Gordon Square Arts District. Their holiday open house is 12/21/18.
Holiday Shopping That Supports NE Ohio Locals:
16 gorgeous women-owned Cleveland boutiques to shop for the holidays
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 24; several stores in local communities to participate
BAYarts opens cheerful Holiday Shop for holiday giving
Shop Cleveland Market is back with 50 local makers at Crocker Park
Small Business Saturday in Cleveland gains momentum despite Black Friday, Cyber Monday promotions
Shop Northeast Ohio holiday craft fairs 2018
Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce Shop Small Saturday
Small Business Saturday @ Van Aken District
Mahall’s Holiday Pop Up Market!
Small Business Saturday at Threefold Gifts with Maker Guests Clear Blur Design
If you feel we are missing something important, comment! While we don’t typically name specific shops, we would be happy to share any more shopping pockets or events we may have overlooked.