ASHLAND — Thinking about shopping for deals post-Thanksgiving? Have you considered staying local?
Ashland Main Street’s annual Shop Hop for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday offers deals from a slew of local businesses.
Did you know?
Small Business Saturday first began in 2010 as an effort to drive shoppers to shop local, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This year, it falls on Nov. 30.
A survey of consumers and small business owners commissioned by Quickbooks shows consumer holiday spending is likely to be down this year. Rising costs and wages that don’t keep pace with inflation were cited among the most common reasons.
For small businesses, the holiday shopping boom can be something they depend on throughout the year. The Quickbooks survey indicated small business owners expect to earn an average 33% of their yearly revenue from holiday sales this year.
Sandra Tunnell, Ashland Main Street’s executive director, said shoppers who attend the downtown Shop Hop will each receive a shopping bag. They’ll also be automatically entered in a drawing for a prize by coming downtown during the event.
According to Tunnell, the following 19 businesses plan to participate:
- Whoopsie Daisy Bowtique
- Fig & Oak
- Clothes Minded Boutique
- C. Bloomers
- Enjoy! Floral & Gift Boutique
- Twisted Ivy
- Cartolina on Main
- Downtown Perk
- The South Street Grille
- Chicory Witch
- Ashland Bike Company
- Opal and Olive Boutique
- Madame Bagnabit
- Farm and Home Hardware
- Ashley’s Candy and Nut Shoppe
- Bella’s 220 and More
- Uniontown Brewing Co.
- Shearer Creations & Boutique
- Ohio Fire
This year’s Shop Hop comes on the tail of Ashland’s first Pink Friday, where several of Ashland’s boutiques had special deals to drive business to downtown.
The Shop Hop will also be in place Dec. 7, the day of Ashland’s annual Christmas parade.
