makersmart16

makersmart16

Image courtesy of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

Nestled snugly between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday, a national initiative made local by the several events to be hosted throughout the city, where Long Beachers can support hometown artisans, makers and small business owners.

Successful events like Makers Mart, where the streets are closed to showcase the wares of local small businesses owners, makers and artists of the East Village Arts District and beyond are a great example of why November 26 is not only a fun day to shop, but a statement on just why it’s important to shop local.


 

“Last year, we had to give a huge thanks to everyone who came out to the Long Beach Makers Mart,” stated SIN-MIN owner Tyler Critelli to the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA), speaking on last year’s Makers Mart in the East Village Arts District. “It was a huge celebration of small business and collaboration through creativity. It’s refreshing to see people ditch the generic, mass-produced Black Friday mentality to support local talent and craftsmanship.”

You’ll find below a few featured businesses celebrating Small Business Saturday in unique ways, as well as several local communities that are throwing day-long events to accommodate local and visiting supporters.

Events

The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association (BKBIA) is inviting everyone to support the local businesses of the greater Bixby Knolls area. From free and discounted services to giveaways and sweet deals, visit the event page to find out what all you can glean, with updates posted daily. Supporters can also participate in the Small Business Saturday Scavenger Hunt. Click here for more information.

The Belmont Shore Business Association is giving free two-hour parking to those shopping small on Saturday.

The DLBA and the East Village shops are joining forces to host the 2016 Makers Mart, where live music, shop discounts, a photo booth and more will take place on First Street between Linden and Elm Avenues, to be closed to traffic.

The Belmont Heights Local Holiday Block Party will feature over 30 small businesses on Fourth Street between Loma and Roswell Avenues. Between 11:00AM and 6:00PM you can chat with local food vendors, designers and local owners while finding one-of-a-kind gifts for your family and friends.

Individual Shops

Everything will be on sale at Long Beach Vintage Etc., where champagne will be served and hours extended so you can catch at least a few of the markdowns on their expansive vintage collection.

Long Beach-based jewelry designer Lacee Norris is throwing her own kind of sale, titled 12 Days of Sparkle, where 12 days of specials will be made available, with a percentage of every purchase to be donated to a local animal shelter in Long Beach.

MADE by Millworks is throwing an all-day party to celebrate the myriad local artisans who sell their wares and wonders through the small business incubator in downtown Long Beach. Music will be provided all day from the likes of Majic Bullet Theory, DJ Dennis Owens, the Jazz Angels and more, with beer, wine and champagne available for purchase from Art Du Vin Wine Bar in-store.

Digital Revolution in Bixby Knolls will offer Minecraft and Scratch Coding workshops for kids ages seven to 12, offering three different times and sections to choose from.

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].