Image credit: FamVeld
Thanksgiving weekend is the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Whether you’re the type who lines up at the mall at midnight on Black Friday or shops online on Cyber Monday, you know this is the best time of year to get great prices on everything.
One important day that falls during this shopping weekend is Small Business Saturday. If you’re not familiar, it’s a day that encourages shoppers to visit independent retail stores, bakeries, salons, and other local shops and help support their small business community. Small businesses typically offer big promotions on this day, which means a boost in sales for them and fantastic deals for their customers.
Small Business Saturday is still a relatively new “shopping holiday” compared to the others (it was launched in 2010 by American Express), but its positive impact on local businesses continues to grow each year. If you want to support the Minnesota small business community this year, here are a few ideas for things to do on Small Business Saturday.
Start your morning at a local cafe.
Instead of mobile ordering your morning coffee at your neighborhood Starbucks, take a few extra minutes to stop by an independent cafe or bakery and place your order in person.
These business owners have likely taken the time to carefully choose and source their products, and in supporting them, you could also be supporting a whole network of vendors in the area. For example, at The Cookie Cups, we work with Minnesota suppliers to serve locally-roasted coffee -- an experience you won’t get at a chain coffee shop!
Visit the boutiques in local shopping plazas.
Yes, we know the Mall of America has everything and then some -- but who wants to fight the Thanksgiving weekend shopping crowds? The Minneapolis area has tons of incredible independent retailers, where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones.
One of our favorites is Gathered Goods Company in Tonka Bay. This boutique curates apparel, accessories, home goods and more from Minnesota-based artisans and Haitian crafters.
Stop by The Cookie Cups’ holiday shopping event.
Image credit: Hannah Andersen Photo
On Small Business Saturday, we’re hosting a Holiday Treats & Shopping event at our new Chanhassen location. Join us on November 30 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to sample our special holiday flavors (sweet and savory!), check out goods from local retailers, and purchase or pre-order holiday Cookie Cups gift packs.
Bring the kids to drop off their letters to Santa and get their picture taken with the Cookie Cups elves. While you’re here, you can check out our 2019 holiday window display, depicting a beautiful scene of The Cookie Cups in Paris!
Wrap up your evening at Holidazzle.
Every year, Mlps Downtown Council hosts Holidazzle, a spectacular event that brings the best of Minneapolis together in one place. Some of the area’s top local food and beverage vendors, artisans, groups, artists, and performers spend their holiday season weekends at this unique community event in Loring Park.
This annual holiday tradition holds a special place in our hearts -- before we opened our Navarre bakery, we were selling Cookie Cups at local markets and festivals like Holidazzle. We encourage you to check out their opening weekend festivities and support the local businesses exhibiting at Holidazzle! Dates and hours can be found on the event website.
Have questions about our Holiday Shopping Event? Visit our Facebook event page or contact us for more details!