Downtown Buffalo Small Business Saturday is coming up on Saturday, November 26, 2016. On that day, everyone is invited to shop for the holidays in Downtown Buffalo. As much as that might seem to be an obvious excursion to make, there are still countless people that don’t look at Downtown as a regular (or even occasional) shopping destination.
Slowly but surely that perception is beginning to change. That’s because so many business owners are trying to make a go of it, working hard to change the small business landscape at the heart of the city. What businesses you ask? How’s this for a sampling?
Visit Buffalo Niagara, City Wine Merchant, Furnishings, Jerry’s Photo Lab & Studio, made by anatomy, MMW Style Studio LLC, M. Steffan’s Sons Leather Supplies, Phenominal Xpressions, Print Collection, Queen City Pop Up, Sabres Store, Tent City, Sarah Danielle, ScentCerely Yours! Handmade, Natural Soy Candles, Something Blue By LeeAndi’s, Western New York Book Arts Center, Woyshners Flower Shop, Yar Mo’s Muse, Buffalo Adore – South Buffalo, Buffalo Barkery, Trend Up, Sai One, Trend Up, Sasmita Batik Indonesia, Queen City Gallery, Rust Belt Love Paperie & Wedding Co-op, Clayton’s Toyland, Red Siren, Fowler’s Chocolates, Western New York Book Arts Center, Queen City Pop Up, Shops at Market Arcade, and HARBORCENTER.
27 participating retail locations who will be open from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm and many of them will be offering special holiday discounts.
All of the small businesses listed above are participating in Small Business Saturday. The event is not only important for the unique businesses that count on people to shop downtown during the holidays, it’s also important for the shoppers who get a change to explore and support a city on the rise.
The event will feature a Shopper’s Passport, which can be found at one of the four check-in locations (HARBORCENTER Shops, WNYBAC, Queen City Pop Up at Fountain Plaza, and the Shops at Market Arcade). Once their passport is filled with stamps shoppers are entered to win a gift basket filled with gift cards and items from the Downtown shops (winners will be announced Monday, December 5th).
“We chose to be a Neighborhood Champion this year to celebrate the new shops that have opened in the past few weeks and also those that have been here for decades,” explains Executive Director of Buffalo Place, Michael T. Schmand. “We also want to highlight how accessible Downtown has become to shop for everything on your holiday shopping list, and to encourage people to grab a bite to eat at one or more of our many Downtown restaurants.”
The idea behind the event is for shoppers to collect at least six stamps on a Shopper’s Passport, which will then open the doors to further discounts at participating Downtown restaurants. Shoppers are encouraged to hop on the free Metro Rail to get to all of the various shopping destinations.
Check-in location #1 – Queen City Pop Up (50 Fountain Plaza):
By Metro Rail – Take the Train to the Fountain Plaza Station, the QCPU is located in Key Center to the right of the Rotary Rink
By Car – There is ample parking near this shop, including a parking ramp along Pearl Street between Chippewa and Huron. Street parking is FREE on the weekends!
Check-in location #2 – Western New York Book Arts Center(468 Washington Street):
By Metro Rail – Take the Train to the Lafayette Square Station, the WNYBAC is a block over (walk along Mohawk to Washington Street).
By Car – There is ample parking near this shop, including a parking lot and ramp along Mohawk and Washington Streets. Street parking is FREE on the weekends!
Check-in location #3 – Shops at Market Arcade (617 Main Street, check-in with Rust Belt Love Paperie & Wedding Co-op):
By Metro Rail – Take the Metro Rail to Fountain Plaza Station and walk North towards Chippewa Street; the Market Arcade Building is just up on your right.
By Car – This section of Main Street, between Chippewa and Tupper, is open to car traffic and there are numerous parking spots as well as street parking along Washington Street. There is also the M&T parking lot on Washington Street, between Chippewa and Tupper. Street parking is FREE on the weekends!
Check-in location #4 – HARBORCENTER (100 Washington, check-in with Fowler’s Chocolates):
By Metro Rail – Take the metro rail to Canalside Station, which is the last stop, and walk along Main Street to HARBORCENTER (crossing over Scott Street).
By Car – HARBORCENTER has a parking ramp along Washington Street, between Scott and Perry Streets. Street parking is FREE on the weekends!
Small Business Saturday | Saturday, November 26, 2016 | 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday® and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit our Facebook page to find out more about the event. Small Business Saturday Partners: Western New York Book Arts Center, Queen City Pop Upt, Buffalo Urban Development Corporation – BUDC, and all the retailers in Downtown Buffalo!