St. Joseph Today is preparing for Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a day when shoppers are urged to take their business to smaller, local shops instead of online retailers or big box stores. St. Joe Today tells us more about the things that will be going on downtown for Small Business Saturday:
Holiday shoppers seeking great buys will find them throughout Southwest Michigan, on Black Friday, Nov. 26, and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27.
“You will easily find gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list from our merchants, restaurants and entertainment venues,” said Amy Zapal, executive director of St. Joseph Today. “From the latest fashions to locally made wines and candies, to gourmet foods, to award-winning toys and games to museum memberships to fresh-baked pet biscuits, you will love all the choices for fantastic gifts, for your loved ones and yourself.”
Zapal said another appreciated present is a St. Joseph Today gift certificate, redeemable at participating member stores, restaurants and hotels. They can be purchased at the Welcome Center, 301 State St., or online at stjoetoday.com, and are good at over 80 different locations.
St. Joseph Today acts as a Neighborhood Champion for the American Express national Small Business Saturday campaign and will hand out a limited number of swag items on Saturday, November 27 at the Welcome Center.
The team at Lazy Ballerina Winery says, “Shopping small is important [to us] because these businesses are how many people, including us, make a living. We want to support our neighbors and we enjoy knowing who we are supporting .”
According to the Civic Economic Study in Grand Rapids, MI when someone spends $100 at a local business, approximately $68 stays in the local community. Brittney Meier, co-owner of Wanderlust Outfitters, says shopping small is important to her because “it’s all about community and connections. There are so many fun, unique local businesses in our great community. And, it’s so fun to support them.” Participants include Box Factory for the Arts, Caffe Tosi, Chartreuse, Dad’s Farm & Cafe, DK Boutique, Edgewater Gifts, Forever Books, Forever Clean Soap Works, Forté Coffee, G&M Variety, Gallery on the Alley, Glik’s, Grins of St. Joseph, HarborTown Interiors, Infusco Coffee, Lazy Ballerina Winery, Maxwell Boutique, Oh My Darlings, Olive Cart, Peat’s Cider Social, Perennial Accents, Purely Michigan, ReVive Spa, Silver Harbor Brewing Co., St. Joe Community Taproom, St. Joe Wine Shoppe, St. Joseph Today, State Street Meats, State Street Stuff, The Buck Burgers & Brew, The Candlestick Maker, The Cheese Lady, The Natural Gem, The Tea Annex, Third Coast Surf Shop, Urban Found, Wanderlust Outfitters, White Pine Winery, Wild Ginger Flowers & Gifts, Wolf’s Marine and many more!
Those in search of the perfect gift will appreciate unique selections, great prices and a festive shopping atmosphere this holiday season. Shoppers and diners alike will enjoy a magical experience this winter season while downtown. St. Joseph Today will kick off the holiday music played throughout downtown St. Joseph from November 19-December 25.
Additionally, winter lights have been placed along State St. (from Elm St. to Ship St.) as well as Broad St. and Ship St. (Lake Blvd. to Main St.) and Pleasant St. (Lake Blvd. to Court St.). The winter lights will kick off on Luminary and remain up through February in conjunction with Light up the Bluff (December 3 through February 15). Light up the Bluff is presented by the City of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph Improvement Association.
For a list of shops, and Small Business Saturday specials, visit stjoetoday.com/shopsmall.
Special thanks to Sturgis Bank for sponsoring the local Small Business Saturday event. Catch these upcoming St. Joseph Today winter events:
Countdown to New Year: November 19-December 31
Window Wonderland: December 3 (7:00p-8:30p)
Fanny Mae Memorial Reindog Parade: December 4 (3:00p)
St. Joe Winter Beer Fest: January 29, 2022 (12:00p-4:00p)
Ice Fest: February 4-6, 2022
St. Joe Today is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization dedicated to producing fantastic events and promoting local businesses in St. Joseph, Michigan and its surrounding communities. For more information about upcoming events and details call St. Joe Today at (269) 985 1111 or visit stjoetoday.com.
