Right now, the area’s small businesses need your support more than ever. So take a break from the deals that giant retailers are using to woo you into their stores on Black Friday and get a more personal shopping experience that you can feel good about:
DC Shops Small
In partnership with District Bridges, this initiative is working with hundreds of DC-area shops, restaurants and more to create a city-wide event encouraging District residents and visitors to shop small on Nov. 28 and beyond. Use the website to find DC, Virginia and Maryland participating businesses.
Fairfax Corner
Make any purchase from a participating small business on Nov. 28 and show your receipt at the Blue Ribbon Floral truck located on the plaza between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to receive a fresh floral bouquet. Participating stores include Belle Mode, lou lou Boutique, Potomac River Running, South Moon Under and The Nest Egg. // 4100 Monument Corner Drive, Fairfax
Vienna Shop & Stroll
As part of Vienna’s campaign to encourage locals and visitors to explore the town’s diverse shopping centers, Small Business Saturday will take place on Nov. 28 from noon to 4 p.m. on Church Street and the surrounding streets.
Old Town Alexandria
Celebrate Small Business Saturday in Old Town Alexandria with free parking at meters and almost 50 independently-owned boutiques, several of which are offering special in-store activities and promotions, free treats and take-home gifts with purchase. Over 80% of businesses on King Street and throughout Old Town are independently owned. For every $100 consumers spend at locally owned businesses, $68 will stay in the community. Get to know local shop owners that offer personalized customer service with curated gift suggestions ranging from home décor, chic fashions, and gourmet food to classic toys and gifts for dogs.
Alexandria Shop Small Week
Running Nov. 27 to Dec. 6, this event has 10 days and two weekends in in-person and online deals, promotions and Instagram giveaways with nearly 50 independent retailers. Related is the new Alexandria Santa-gram Giveaway running Nov. 9 to Dec. 20, which invites you to shop small for your chance to win one of five weekly personalized videos from the region’s most beloved Santa as part of a 6-week giveaway. Download the Guide to Alexandria Holiday Shopping for more information.
Occoquan Holiday Fest
This three-week event running Nov. 20 to Dec. 13 includes in-person and online activities to encourage shopping at the 30 independently-owned shops in Historic Occoquan. The festival features a virtual tree lighting, gingerbread house competition, trivia content, holiday market, s’mores and cocoa, raffle prizes and seasonal workshops.
Virtual Shopping in Prince William County
One of the events planned by the Prince William County Office of Tourism to encourage shopping locally, this online directory of local shops provides info on the purveyors as well as promotions and discounts they are offering.
Franklin Park Arts Center
The Purcellville arts center has curated a three-box subscription ($180) that connects you to different Loudoun County artists, musicians and artisans through original artwork, pottery, handcrafted soaps and candles, locally-sourced food products including honey and tea, books, CDs and more. Every box is themed: December is “relaxation and self-care,” January is “new beginnings and February is “love and joy.” // 36441 Blueridge View Lane, Purcellville
Workhouse Arts Center
At the Lorton center for the arts, you can buy notecards, wall-sized installations, pottery and everything in-between created from the more than 70 in-house artisans working in fiber, fine art, glass, jewelry, ceramics and other mediums. // 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton
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