Local Retailers Announce Plans for Small Business Saturday
By Julie Perine on November 21, 2020
Bridgeport retailers may be keeping Small Business Saturday small, but they are offering big savings.
On Nov. 28, several locally owned stores will be offering light refreshments and discounts on inventory, the ideal opportunity to check gifts off the holiday list.
Located at The Square on South Virginia Avenue, Champion Pharmacy and Wellness is offering 25 percent off the store’s entire Melissa and Doug Inventory.
Champion Pharmacy and Wellness also welcomes new pharmacy customers.
“For every prescription filled or transferred that day, we will donate $2 to the Humane Society of Harrison County,” said Katlyn Logsdon, pharmacy manager.
The store is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Small Business Saturday and will be serving light refreshments during those hours.
Also located at The Square, Insight Astronomy will be open 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. All shoppers browsing the store’s telescopes, lenses and accessories, children’s books, toys and educational items will be eligible for a door prize: “Magic School Bus: Rides Again The Secrets of Space” science kit. The winner will be chosen by random among Small Business Saturday guests. Bottled water will be provided.
About You Monograms will set up shop outdoors on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. Discounts and light refreshments will be among offerings, said owner Lisa Lang. A tent will be set up just outside of the 110 West Main Street store, which will be open 7 a.m. to noon.
“We will be welcoming guests at the start of their shopping day Friday and Saturday, offering coffee and cookies from Torchia’s Pastries as well as surprise discounts and a holiday gift,” Lang said. “We are filled with new merchandise as well as carrying the latest in Nora Fleming, Mariposa, French Bull, Susquehanna glassware and Maple Leaf charcuterie boards.”
Jewelry pieces arrive daily, not to mention unique tree ornaments and the popular hot chocolate bombs.
Limited in-store shopping and curbside pickup will be offered.
“And we are proud to invite customers to contact us at 304-842-2178 to make a personal shopping appointment at a time to fit their schedule,” Lang said.
At 410 East Main Street, Artworks will offer each customer a 50 percent discount off one item in the store on Small Business Saturday.
“We’re selling right off our walls and you’re getting a tremendous gift at half-off,” said Owner Lotus MacDowell. “Or if you’ve wanted something framed for your home for a long time now, you will receive 50 percent off the retail of having it framed up and that’s definitely a great deal.”
Small Business Saturday and Black Friday customers at Artworks will receive holiday refreshment packages including homemade biscotti and cookies. The store will be open 9:30 a.m. through 5:30 p.m. both days, as well as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Thanksgiving week.
MacDowell said her shelves are full of ideal holiday gift items.
“We have a lot of really fantastic ornaments. The Pilgrim line has some whimsical COVID designs made of metal, like one featuring rolls of toilet paper. It is that same brand we commissioned to make our West Virginia ornaments,” she said. “Another line we got in has old-fashioned ornaments, real thin layers of wood that look three-dimensional. They have little lights in them, and they are exquisite.”
As always, gift wrapping is free at Artworks. MacDowell said she is happy to accommodate customers who are hesitant to come shop in person.
“We will be happy to Facetime someone and show them everything in the shop and help find the right gift for anyone on their list,” she said. “We’ll then gift wrap the items and they can pull up and we’ll hand it right to them in their car. Or we’ll ship it directly to the recipient.”
