With Small Business Saturday in full swing this weekend, (Saturday, Nov. 25), Philadelphians can make a one-stop-shop of it all with a little added holiday magic when they head to East Passyunk.
While there, locals will be able to check out different festivities from numerous independently-owned businesses with exclusive sales, special promotions, and discounted deals being offered.
Some highlights include 20% off any full-size product at Mockingbird Salon, double Play Pass rewards and giveaways from Tildie’s Toy Box and Tiny Tildie’s, a pop-up featuring local artists with prints, original works, accessories, and more from Manatwany Still Works, and 20% off the store and clearance items from Ismael’s Boutique.
There are also some unique activations going on for Small Business Saturday on East Passyunk, like from A Novel Idea. As a release states, the independent bookstore has a host of specials available, including Blind Dates With A Book (mystery gift-wrapped reads ranging from $5 – $25), 40% off select titles, and a series of prize raffles. Customers who spend $20+ will also be entered to win a free 30-minute tarot reading with co-founder/co-owner Christina, and those who spend $40+ will be entered to win a free two-hour writing workshop with Christina, and finally, guests who spend $60+ will be entered to win a free date night for two at the shop.
“Kicking off the holiday season with Small Business Saturday is the perfect reminder for our neighbors and visitors alike to keep shopping small and local as it makes such an impact in our community,” shares Rebecca O’Leary, Executive Director of the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District in a statement.
O’Leary continued: “It’s so important to continue to support your favorite independently-owned businesses, especially during the busy season ahead, and we hope to bring some additional fun in the process along the Avenue.”
The shopping holiday also coincides with another East Passyunk seasonal activation — Deck the Ave — which hosts a bevy of different events for the area beginning Nov. 29. One of the most popular fixtures of the initiative is the area’s Tree Lighting, which will happen on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 5:30 p.m. The lighting, which will take place by The Singing Fountain will also feature carol singers, the Coppin Home Band, Quaker City String Band and more.
Plus Santa will be there to greet guests and mark the occasion with pictures. If you can’t make it out to the lighting to snap some pics however, folks can bring their camera and take photos with Kris Kringle on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17, from noon to 2 p.m. as well.
There will also be additional shopping specials that Philadelphians can indulge in while at Deck the Ave. For example, the East Passyunk Punch Card will be available to use from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1. With the card, Philadelphians will receive a punch for each $10 spent at participating businesses. As the release states, once 10 punches have been received, visitors can then submit the completed card to one of East Passyunk Avenue’s businesses and be automatically entered into a prize raffle for a gift certificate.
There’s also the 2nd Annual Hot Chocolate Crawl which provides hot cocoa and boozy-alternative chocolate creations available at numerous local restaurants, bars, and cafés on Saturday, Dec. 9. The event is pay-as-you-go, and more details will become available leading up to the event. The 13th Annual Ornament Show presented by Nice Things Handmade, on the other hand, will showcase more than 50 local artists and their handmade ornament submissions for sale beginning Saturday, Nov. 18 and running through Friday, Jan. 12, the release states.
The holiday festivities will also feature Hanukkah celebrations, where The South Philadelphia Shtiebel will lead the community in celebrating the festival of lights with the annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at the Singing Fountain on Thursday, Dec. 7, at sundown. And for those who can’t take photos with Santa, why not send him a letter? As the release states, all are invited to drop off letters to Santa at East Passyunk Avenue’s North Pole Mailbox located at The Singing Fountain starting on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Plus, local musicians and carolers will also be performing throughout the duration of Deck The Ave.
“More so than ever before, East Passyunk Avenue is the destination for holiday celebrations, welcoming everyone from across the region,” said O’Leary in another statement. “Visit the Avenue for an immersive holiday experience on our unique commercial strip of independent businesses. Expect new pop-up events with nighttime entertainment, family-friendly activities on weekends and public art activations before the end of the year.”
To find out more about what’s happening on East Passyunk Ave for Small Business Saturday and the holiday season, visit visiteastpassyunk.com
