For the second year in a row, several downtown businesses are collaborating to bring their customers a unique shopping experience.
Downtown Soul City, a Facebook page, has announced its second annual Small Business Saturday Crawl, which will be held on Nov. 26 beginning at 10 a.m. at Augusta & Co., located at 1010 Broad St.
Many businesses, including The Book Tavern, Fetch 501, Grantski Records, and Tiffinie Bleu Bridal Boutique, will participate in this year’s event. Sponsors include Kruhu and Mod Ink.
Each of the first 200 shoppers will receive a canvas tote and a Crawl guide. Shoppers will receive a button for every purchase they make and will be entered into the grand prize giveaway for a gift basket containing products from all participating businesses. DIY gift-wrapping stations will be also available in various locations.
Each business will also have its own specials for that day only, according to Augusta Candle Company owner, Amy Donaldson. These specials may include giveaways, discounts, and other offers.
“Every business participating is involved in the planning,” Donaldson said. “We’re trying to communicate as a group, instead of doing our own thing.”
She said they want to make the event a convenient way for people to finish all their Christmas shopping.
“Last year, Small Business Saturday was bigger than Black Friday,” Donaldson said.
“Hopefully it’s bigger and better than last year,” said Freshwater Design Co. co-owner, Brianne Martin.
Martin owns the business with her sister, Danielle Harmadi. They design and sell a variety of items, such as jewelry, keychains, pens, and coffee mugs.
Like Donaldson and Martin, Felicia Dunn, a member of 10Twenty-Eight, an event, retail, and meeting space located at 1028 Broad St., is excited about Small Business Saturday.
“We are offering specials that day,” said Dunn, who sells her clothing at 10Twenty-Eight.
Jennifer Tinsley, the owner of Field Botanicals, said there are advantages to attending events like Small Business Saturday.
“You get to find handmade gifts that can’t be found anywhere else,” Tinsley said. “It’s more like a celebration or festival, as opposed to ordering generic gifts online or suffering the lines and crowds at big box stores.”
For more information, visit the downtown business’s Facebook pages.
