Small Business Saturday® has been a big shout out to recognize the importance of small businesses since launched in 2010 by American Express.
And this year is no exception. This season visit and support the local businesses that contribute in so many ways to our communities.
Join us on a virtual sampling of what is happening around the state on Small Business Saturday, and make sure to Shop Small throughout the holiday season!
No matter where you call ‘local’ we encourage you to visit the businesses that add the personality and energy to our communities. (And with 169 towns to choose from, let us know if we missed yours @ Meghan.e.Brennan@uconn.edu)
Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce
Eastern Connecticut Holiday Shopping Trail
Shopping local has never been more important, and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT’s annual Holiday Shopping Trail challenges shoppers to keep it local while having fun. The new sweepstakes model offers prizes for customers who connect with small businesses across eastern CT. New ways to enter make the promotion perfect for an unusual holiday season.
Beginning on Small Business Saturday, November 28 through December 24, shoppers can visit ChamberECT.com/trail to connect with over 100 local businesses. From there, they can shop online, find a business to visit, or learn about special services like curbside pickup, delivery, and gift certificates. Businesses are also encouraged to sign up to participate – it’s not too late to do so!
Shoppers earn chances to win prizes when they complete challenges designed to promote businesses on the Trail. Shoppers connect on social media, share a selfie while shopping the Trail, show a purchase, or register their email, all the time earning entries to the final drawings.
Shopper Link: chamberECT.com/trail
Hashtag for social media posts: #ctshoppingtrail, #chamberECT
Tag us (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter): @chamberect
Tag the Facebook Event: Holiday Shopping Trail
Campaign collateral (poster, social media posts):
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RoPkg7nE9T5TIUFpoh_ovmLhsoKWWeOF?usp=sharing
Bridgeport
We invite you to discover why Downtown is so wonderfully Colorful Bridgeport, and to Shop Locally, Give Colorfully with us this holiday season. We offer this guide to “loving your local” shop or restaurant while maintaining safe social distancing practices.
Even though the holidays may look a little different this year, our Downtown restaurants and businesses can help make the season special. Whether you give the gift of art, a delicious meal, the perfect handcrafted accessory, or brand-new kicks this holiday season; make sure to shop locally and give colorfully! If you are not yet ready to come back Downtown, many of our restaurants are open for pickup and delivery; retailers have offerings ready to purchase online; you can buy a gift certificate or pay ahead for personal services; and you can support your favorite arts venue in a variety of ways. If you do end up shopping locally in-store, ask the business owner about the $5 Holiday Bucks coupon included in our printed map and guide!
https://infobridgeport.com/give-colorfully/
Ellington
Shop Ellington 2020 Event – Help Support ELLINGTON Businesses
In an effort to support local businesses, the Ellington Economic Development Commission (EDC) is sponsoring Shop Ellington 2020 to connect more patrons and local businesses and will run for ten days starting Friday, November 27th through Sunday, December 6th. During the event, citizens can earn raffle tickets (stickers) toward becoming eligible for raffle prizes that will be awarded at a drawing in mid-December and mailed to event winners shortly after.
Patrons are encouraged to visit participating Ellington businessesto learn about services, make purchases, grab a bite to eat/drink, or get/book services or take tours. No purchase is necessary; as long as a meaningful interaction transpires, patrons qualify for one sticker per interaction during the event. After December 6th, Customer Raffle Cards will be collected by the Planning Department and cards with five or more stickers will be entered into a raffle drawing, sponsored by the EDC, for pre-paid gift cards.
For a list of participating businesses, to print a Customer Raffle Card, learn how to become a participating business, and access more details about the event, please call the Planning Department at 860-870-3120 or send them an email.
https://www.ellington-ct.gov/things-to-do/shop-ellington-2020
Town of Fairfield and Fairfield Chamber of Commerce
Thursday, December 3
Shop local and support Fairfield Businesses! Complete with seasonal music, giveaways & prizes,map to feature participating businesses.
Learn more about this event: http://fairfieldctchamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/holiday-shop-stroll-2020-5519
Manchester
Come to Downtown Manchester for Small Business Saturday on 11/28 from 10am to 4pm for great deals, shopping challenges and of course- prizes!
Visit the Welcome Tent in the Forest Street Lot where you can:
- Enter the “I pledge to gift local 2020” prize drawings
- Pick up a value-packed tote bag (first 50 people!)
- Pick up a Connect 4 Game Board
Next, head off to start shopping at our locally owned businesses. Complete the shopping challenges on your game board to earn entries to win one of many great prizes! Remember, a gift comes in all shapes and forms. Gift cards for a beauty service or a fitness class make great stocking stuffers! A gift card for a coffee makes a great teacher’s gift! You can’t go wrong with a gift certificate to a restaurant!
http://downtownmanchester.org/love-local-gift-local-on-small-business-saturday/
The Scoop on Glastonbury
On Saturday, November 28th (Small Business Saturday), SCOOP stickers will be hidden in the retailers featured in the 2020 Holiday Gift Guide throughout Glastonbury. When you find one, bring it to checkout for a SURPRISE DISCOUNT or FREE GIFT with purchase!
Learn more >> https://www.thescoopglastonbury.com/post/the-scoop-glastonbury-s-2020-holiday-gift-guide
Holiday on Main, City of Middletown and Middlesex Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Pop-up Vendor Fair – Saturday, Dec 5
During a time like no other, we have had to come up with new ideas for Holiday on Main Street that are fun, safe and socially distant! Businesses are invited to set up a table and sell your products to those in attendance during the holiday season! Including handcrafted, unique, or holiday items. More information available: https://holidayonmain.com/saturday-12-5-2020/
On the following Saturday’s (Nov. 28th, Dec. 5th, and Dec. 12th) find Jingles the Gnome who has escaped the Chamber in hopes of finding some holiday magic! Solve the riddle and help us find Jingles at different locations throughout downtown. Take a picture of Jingles (or you in front of Jingles) at all locations and email your images to MagicOfMiddletown@gmail.com. All emails must be received by 3:00PM on the following Saturday’s (Nov. 28th, Dec. 5th, and Dec. 12th) to be entered into the drawing. Upon submission of your email, you will be added to our weekly drawing for a $100 downtown business district gift card. Winner will be announced via social media and email.
Share your images online using #magicofmiddletown2020
For more information visit, www.holidayonmain.com.
Mystic
Support you favorite small businesses in Downtown Mystic, Olde Mistick Village, The Velvet Mill and the Groton Square Shopping Center, both in-store and online this holiday season! Support Small Businesses. Shop Today. Shop Small®.
https://www.mysticchamber.org/mystic-events-calendar/its-a-very-merry-mystic
New Haven
Shop Local. Get Stamped. Enter to Win. Website features participating retailers.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … holiday gift shopping time of course! We know it’s important to find the perfect gift for family and friends but we also know how important it is to stay on budget. Behold, our curated list for the 2020 New Haven Holiday Gift Guide. Scroll for some incredible holiday gift-spiration!
https://mailchi.mp/629066e43bc7/new-haven-holiday-gifts-50-and-under
https://www.infonewhaven.com/holidaypassport/
Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce
As an American Express USA Community Champion we were delighted to present Shop Small shopping bags, stickers, posters and table tents to some of our Chamber members yesterday. Everyone followed social distancing and it was absolutely fabulous chatting and catching up with folks. We have very limited supplies available, but are working to secure additional prior to Shop Small Business Saturday on November 28th.
https://www.facebook.com/Northeastern-Connecticut-Chamber-of-Commerce-266217953714/
ShopBlackCT Small Business Virtual Event
ShopBlack CT is hosting a free event to showcase black-owned businesses around the state. Whether you log in for part of the event or the whole thing, you’ll get a chance to hear from the business owners, virtually “browse” some great products, grab some great deals, enter giveaways, snag special discounts and more!
Access our showcase of 23 Black-owned businesses from across Connecticut! This event is *FREE* to attend and will stream through the ShopBlackCT.com Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/events/700677824193751
Stratford
Shop Small Saturday
“Shop Small Stratford is an opportunity to support our local businesses who struggled this year,” said Mayor Laura Hoydick. “If you are not comfortable visiting your favorite establishment, place an online order or call in an order for curbside pick-up. Our small businesses are getting creative on ways to fulfill the needs of the community allowing us to shop small, shop local and shop safe.”
https://www.facebook.com/shopsmallstratford/
Windsor
Come out on November 28th to support our local economy!
Small Business Saturday is the Saturday after Thanksgiving: November 28, 2020. Remember to shop small! We have a number of unique small businesses throughout Windsor. Support them, and you support our local economy!
Small businesses help ensure local economies stay strong and vibrant. Let’s keep the momentum going all year long. Shop Small at the small businesses you love in your community. Because when small businesses succeed, we all do.
Go out and meet our local Windsor business owners and #shopsmall! Check out the businesses offering specials on Small Business Saturday! Spread the word!
https://www.windsorcc.org/events/annualchamberevent/smallbusinesssatur2020/
Artists Sunday
Come out on November 29th to support our local artists!
In a year of social distancing, join the celebrated way to make heartfelt connections with friends and loved ones this holiday season.
There’s perhaps nothing more personal than a gift of the arts
Artists Sunday(TM) is the Sunday after Thanksgiving. November 29 this year.
Artists Sunday is an arts-focused shopping day the first Sunday after Thanksgiving, the largest shopping weekend of the year! The goal is simple: to help artists sell more of their work during the fall holiday season and to help shoppers find unique, personal and hand-made gifts for their loved ones!
https://www.windsorcc.org/events/annualchamberevent/artistsunday/