By Judy Shuler
As how and where we shop continues to evolve, so too does Small Business Saturday. When it was created by American Express a decade ago to help small businesses promote themselves, it was a single day sandwiched between big business’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Throughout Chautauqua County this year, Small Business Saturday will take to the streets, stretch over several days and go digital.
The City of Dunkirk is staging Christmas on Central Small Business Saturday Holiday Market and Annual Tree Lighting 2pm-7pm on November 26 in downtown Dunkirk. The indoor and outdoor pop-up shopping event is designed to spotlight locally-owned businesses and their impact on communities. Local and some out-of-town vendors and activities will be located inside the Stearns Building at 338 Central Avenue, in the former P&G grocery store at 411 Central Avenue, the former Central Vibez salon at 423 Central Avenue, P*Dubs Pizza, Wings & Things at 404 Central Avenue, Kays Kreationz at 324 Central Avenue, Blazin’ Bags at 314 Central Avenue, City Hall, along with outside vendors on Central Avenue. Sandwich boards will direct people to all locations. A shopping map with a secret holiday word gift raffle contest will be available, promoting participating vendors and other holiday deals and savings at other local businesses throughout the city
Over 55 local businesses and vendors are participating. Central Station Restaurant will serve complimentary hot cocoa and offer food for sale. Other activities include holiday gift shopping, complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, food trucks, free raffle and gift card prize drawings, children’s holiday craft-making, cookie frost and coloring contest, visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and elves, and a live chainsaw wood carving demonstration by Vince Liuzzo–The Tree Guy. The annual tree lighting ceremony is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Dunkirk City Hall, with carolers, Mayor Wilfred Rosas, staff, community members and friends. For more information, contact Ryan Hall at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9886 or rhall@cityofdunkirk.com
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a county-wide hashtag contest during Small Business Saturday. Shop at small locally owned businesses in Chautauqua County, do a simple Facebook or Instagram check-in at each one, and hashtag the post with #ShopSmallCHQ. Each check-in earns an entry into their Small Business Saturday prize drawing for $500 in ShopLocalCHQ gift cards. No purchase is necessary, and the business does not have to be a Chamber member to participate. It can be at any locally owned small business, whether it’s a brick-and-mortar store or part of a vendor fair including the Small Business Saturday event in Dunkirk. The Chamber will draw winners from all #ShopSmallCHQ entrants posted on November 26; winners will be notified November 28. On Cyber Monday, November 28, shoppers can take 20% off their purchase on ShopLocalCHQ.com.
In Fredonia, the Next Chapter book store on Barker Commons will host a book signing with author Dr. Karla-La featuring her new book, Modge Podge 11am-2pm, November 26. In addition to the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce hashtag drawing, Festivals Fredonia and the Fredonia Chamber of Commerce will use paper punch cards as proof of visiting Fredonia’s participating businesses. Shoppers with at least half of their cards punched can enter a drawing for one of two $50 gift cards provided by the Fredonia Community Chamber of Commerce. As segue to their Miracle on Main Street on December 3, cards can be punched any time during that week. Miracle on Main Street will feature crafts and contests 10am to 3pm. in Fredonia Grange No. 1; story telling in Darwin R. Barker Library 10am -11:30am and at noon at Next Chapter Book Store; horse-drawn carriage rides 1-4pm; free screening of The Grinch at 4pmin the 1891 Fredonia Opera House & Performing Arts Center; parade, dancers, caroling, arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and Christmas tree lighting 5:30-6:30pm at the Gazebo in Barker Commons. First annual community street dance in and around the Commons with DJ Joe Gould is planned 7-9pm. A Hot Toddy Crawl is being introduced this year, 10am to 8pm December 3 and noon to 4pm December 4, both with and without alcohol. Businesses are encouraged to offer refreshments, discounts or door prizes throughout the week, says Denise Szalkowski, Fredonia Community Chamber Coordinator.
Jamestown Community Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Holiday Window Decorating Contest, open to any local business in the 14701-zip code, from November 18 through December 4. Four winners will be selected by the public via text, with directions for voting posted in each participating window. Winners will be announced on December 5 on social media and Chamber Business Weekly.
The Jamestown Holiday Parade begins at 6pm on Saturday, December 3, with a fireworks show immediately following.
Westfield held their Christmas in the Village last weekend but the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber is holding a window decorating contest that will run until the first week in December. The Chamber will offer $300 in ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards for the winners, which will be selected by community officials.