Shop Locally During Small Business Saturday

Bolingbrook's big-box stores are this year. In fact, some are attempting to get a jump on their competitors by starting their sales on Thanksgiving day.

Shoppers and employees may be forced to serve brunch to their guests and send them home with packaged leftovers or leave the dinner dishes soaking in the sink as they rush off to shop or work at those big-box stores on Thursday.

But those who have a decidedly less frantic view of the holiday season may want to take advantage of Small Business Saturday—a day dedicated to shopping at locally-owned businesses.

Small Business Saturday was launched last year by American Express. And this year, organizers have been running promotions for weeks in print, on radio, TV and social media sites, as well as on signs hung in mom-and-pop store windows across the country.

Bolingbrook Patch tooled around town recently, searching out independently-owned small businesses offering special deals on Small Business Saturday, and we were both surprised and delighted by what we found: jewelry, perfume, purses, clothing, musical instruments, candles, clocks, Christmas décor and much, much more—all right here in .

And rather than fighting traffic and pitching a frantic battle with hordes of holiday shoppers at impersonal big-box stores, we encountered ample parking, a relaxed shopping experience and plenty of helpful, one-on-one service at small businesses right here in the village.

According to Janelle Zenner, who owns J Rae Boutique at along with her husband, Josh, the atmosphere at a local small business is not the only benefit of shopping there.

“Supporting small businesses supports your community and your neighbors,” Janelle Zenner said. “And we live right here in .”

Lori Donofrio, co-owner of stores at The Promenade and in Naperville on Route 59 at 95^th Street, echoed Janelle Zenner’s sentiments.

“Small business is where it’s at,” Donofrio said. “We’re the heartbeat of the community.”

Local small-businesses are also teaming up with the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce to promote the day by offering special promotions and coupons. For those sales, CLICK HERE. Or visit the chamber's Facebook page.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has lent its support to Small Business Saturday this year and is encouraging residents to shop locally both this weekend and all year long.

“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy – half of America’s workers either own or work for a small business,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills in a press release. “Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to show our support for our friends and neighbors who throughout the year are growing our local economy, as well as supporting many local initiative and organizations.”

Where can you shop at a local small businesses this Saturday?

Listed below are a few of the locally-owned stores where residents can “shop small” in Bolingbrook this Saturday:

J Rae Boutique

Owners: Janelle and Josh Zenner

Location: Promenade Bolingbrook at 627 E. Boughton Rd. Ste. 115, (across from and )

Phone: 630-312-8229

Website: http://www.jraeaccessories.com and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/JRaeBtq

Hours: Regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store will follow The Promenade's holiday hours beginning this Saturday. For details, .

Products/services: Unique gift items, jewelry featuring natural stone, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver and more; “build your own” necklaces using vintage stones and charms; custom jewelry, wearable art, purses and evening bags; candles, hats, boot accessories and more.

Specials/sales: For every $100 in purchases on Small Business Saturday, customers will receive $25 in J Rae Bling Bucks, redeemable Jan. 1-Feb. 2. Facebook and Twitter followers can access special deals, too.

Owner: Steve Dollinger

Location: 431 N. Bolingbrook Drive

Phone: 630-759-3033 or 630-759-3086

Website: www.musicsolutionsstore.com

Hours: Monday through Thursday from noon to 8 p.m.; Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Products/services: Brand-name new and used guitars and ukuleles; amplifiers and audio systems, accessories, music books, music lessons and guitar setup, tuning and repair.

Specials/sales: In-store and online specials offered on new and used items throughout the store. 

Owners: Pradeep and Savita Kukreja

Location: 116 N. Bolingbrook Drive

Phone: 630-783-0707

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Products: Hard-to-find and name-brand women’s and men’s colognes, perfumes, gift sets, all at prices 20 to 30 percent lower than at department stores, according to co-owner Savita Kukreja.

Specials/sales: In-store coupons, which expire Dec. 24, offer $5 back for every $50 spent and 10 percent off all gift sets.

Owners: Darren, Lori and Beverly Donofrio

Locations: Promenade Bolingbrook at 641 E. Boughton Road and Naperville Crossing at 3124 S. Route 59, Naperville.

Phone: 630-739-0099 (), 630-904-3800 (Naperville)

Website: http://www.justducky.com/

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Bolingbrook)

Products/services: Wide variety of home décor items, holiday ornaments and décor, clocks, jewelry, candles, paintings by local artists, special-occasion serving plates and dishes, apparel and more.

Specials/sales: During Thanksgiving weekend, the store will offer 20 percent off most purchases and customers can earn holiday cash.

Owner: Davinder Sehgal; wife “Guddi” and son Raj

Location: 261 S. Bolingbrook Drive (corner of Route 53 and Lily Cache)

Phone: 630-771-1700

Website: www.sehgaljewelers.com

Hours: Holiday hours beginning after Thanksgiving: Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.

Products/services: wedding and engagement rings, diamond, 14- and 10K-gold, gemstone and silver jewelry; birth stones, class rings, watches, pearls and on-site jewelry and watch repair.

Specials/sales: Visit the store's website for specials and coupons.