Port Holiday Magic on Main Street

Small Business Saturday was created ten years ago to encourage residents to consider shopping in their local communities to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve our neighborhoods. To make this day more festive and kick off the holiday shopping season in a bigger way, the Greater Port Washington BID, the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and Residents Forward are celebrating with our own Port Holiday Magic on Saturday, November 30!

To start the celebration, kids of all ages can see Santa arrive on a fire truck at 1:00 p.m. He will ride from the Boulevard to the Bay and then board the free trolley with candy canes and gelt for all. There will be all-day special offers in stores throughout town. Check the attached list for details. From 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Main Street will also have strolling costumed characters, singing groups, a juggler, balloon twister, free popcorn and other treats.

More new festivities this year include a giant Snow Globe at the corner of Main Street and Port Washington Blvd. Shoppers can take fun selfies there and other festive locations. Participate in the first Port Holiday Magic sELFie Scavenger Hunt! Take a sELFie with the elf hat located in the participating stores. (Look for the red bow on the door.) Upload your sELFie to Instagram. Caption “Port Holiday Magic sELFie” and include hashtags #PortHolidayMagic and #ShopPort. Tag people: Tag @Shop_Port (and the shop you are in!) and add the locations: select the amazing shop you are in. For every sELFie you post, you will be entered to win a $25 gift card to the participating merchant of your choice! Get an extra entry if you post pictures of the store and highlight their great items or a fabulous purchase you have made.

The Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is providing financial support for the event. To support both the businesses and shoppers, the Town of North Hempstead is suspending all Main Street parking meter fees for the day. The Port Washington Police District will provide extra safety for shoppers at the major crossings. Falconer Florist and Port Washington Florist are donating the red bows for the participating stores. Impulse Boutique, Ayhan’s Mediterranean Market and Alper’s Hardware will host stations with delicious free goodies for all.

Small businesses play a vital role in our community and our economy. Shopping locally for the holidays is convenient, easy, and saves you from getting caught in holiday traffic at the malls. You will be supporting local merchants who, not only appreciate your business, but also pay a large share of property taxes and help maintain the economic stability of our community. They also offer special customer services that the big box stores don't and make donations for so many fundraisers. Online shoppers may not realize that for every $100 spent in local small businesses, $68 stays in the community through jobs, taxes, contributions to non-profits and more. For every $100 you spend online, $0 stays in our community.

Let’s strengthen our community by supporting local businesses that support our town. “Try Port First” for your holiday shopping on November 30 and all year long. Visit portholidaymagic.com and follow Shop Port on Instagram or follow Facebook/Port Holiday Magic for updates. # ShopPort #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #PortHolidayMagic

Before you click and buy, give Shop Port a try!