Across the North Olympic Peninsula, Small Business Saturday is a growing phenomenon.
Created as a counterbalance to the big box store-dominated Black Friday, Small Business Saturday has been embraced by local businesses as a way to bring shoppers out following the Thanksgiving holiday.
In Port Angeles, dozens of businesses are participating in a full weekend of sales for those who purchase a Small Business Weekend tote bag from the Winter Ice Village for $15. Purchasing a bag entitles the buyer to a range of offers from participating local businesses.
The bags are designed and printed locally by Port Angeles’ Bagley Creek Outfitters, and offers can be redeemed by showing the bag to participating businesses.
A full list of the participating businesses and their offers can be found online at the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce website, or bit.ly/supportangeles. Bags — which went on sale Tuesday — can be purchased online but must be picked up at the Winter Ice Village.
Promotions at local businesses are available Friday through Sunday, and many stores are expanding their hours to accommodate shoppers.
“We’re selling more bags than we ever have before, and it’s something that people are going to expect,” said Marc Abshire, executive director of the Port Angeles Chamber.
Port Angeles’ tote bag deal is in its third year and getting more popular with both businesses and shoppers, Abshire said.
Sequim
Saturday will be the big day in Sequim with the annual Hometown Holidays event with a Christmas tree lighting, tractor parade and an appearance from Santa Claus.
Festivities start about 1 p.m., said Beth Pratt, executive director of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce, with Santa arriving about 1:30 p.m. Santa will be available for pictures until 4 p.m. and the tree lighting at Centennial Square will be at 4:45 p.m.
“The big day is Saturday, but merchants are open on Friday,” Pratt said. “A lot of local merchants do have specials or special things they bring in just for this weekend.”
Many local businesses also will participate in the “Elk on a Shelf” game, Pratt said; a scavenger-hunt-type game for kids where an elk figure will be placed somewhere in the store for kids to find. Punch cards are available from participating businesses, and completed cards can be entered for a raffle drawing on Jan. 2.
Musical performances will be provided by the Peninsula Singers and Juan de Fuca Harmony. Local BSA Scout troops will be selling holiday wreaths, hot drinks and cookies as well, Pratt said.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend also is participating in Small Business Saturday, with holiday lights and other attractions.
The Port Townsend Main Street Promotion Committee is launching a campaign to bring shoppers downtown and support local businesses.
“The holiday campaign will encourage customers to invest in the local economy by patronizing local businesses,” PT Main Street’s website said. “The promotion will highlight local shopping, dining, and overnight stays.”
On Saturday, PT Main Street will host a free swag-making event under a heated tent at Tyler Plaza from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the following week will hold a Christmas tree lighting and photo opportunity with Santa Claus.
Black Friday
Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — is often considered the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and is one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
But many large chain stores have expanded their Black Friday sales over several days, if not weeks. Costco began offering Black Friday sales last week and Walmart’s online sales start today.
Some online retailers such as Amazon have added Cyber Monday as a way of extending the length of their sales. Amazon’s Black Friday sales began Nov. 17.
Small Business Saturday is a trademarked marketing initiative started by the American Express Company in 2010. The company said last year a survey estimated the initiative drove approximately $18 billion in sales in 2022.
The National Weather Service is forecasting mostly sunny skies for the weekend, with temperature highs of about 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.
