Fairfax City Shop Local Week: Find Deals, Celebrate City Businesses

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Fairfax City's business community kicked off a weeklong celebration of locally small-business owners and merchants on Thursday with the Fairfax City Shop Local Week.

This is the inaugural year for the event, which is a joint effort of the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the Fairfax City Economic Development Authority, and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association.

Running from Thursday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 31, Fairfax City Shop Local Week is an opportunity for city shoppers to show their support for local businesses and find a few deals along the way.

At Tuesday night's Fairfax City Council meeting, Mayor Catherine Read presented a proclamation on the board's behalf recognizing the Shop Local Week organizers.

"We are excited to shine a light on these businesses and celebrate them this entire week, where you'll see several themed shopping days, starting with Community Cares Thursday," Tara Bowery, EDA's programs manager said, during the presentation. "Retailers are generously donating a portion of their proceeds to charities of their choice, and you can visit them to find out more details at each individual retailer."

Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Rose pointed out at Tuesday's meeting that Shop Local Week coincided with Independent Retailers Week.

"On Friday, our women mean business committee is doing a little retail therapy session," she said. "Think of it as a pub crawl, but we're going to crawl Friday afternoon from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., to many of the fantastic retail businesses in Old Town, Fairfax"

The following is all the information provided by the Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Authority, and the Old Town Fairfax Business Association about Fairfax City Shop Local Week:

• Community Cares Thursday will see retailers partnering with local charities to give back to the community. Support the Friends of Fairfax County Animal Shelter at Mode on Main by Mara and meet the players from D.C. Divas and support their trip to the National Playoff Championship at Smiley Skin Beauty from 5pm to 7pm (Full event details here). Brooke’s Bridal & Ball is partnering with Operation Deploy Your Dress.
• Friday Social promises a lively shopping atmosphere featuring sip and shop events. Attendees can capture a selfie with the store dog and cat at Weber’s Pet Supermarket, followed by an evening at Rock the Block in Fairfax Old Town Square Park with Paradise Games & Gifts, enjoying live music from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Sip and Shop at Brooke’s Bridal and Beyond and spin the wheel to win prizes from Smiley Skin, and garner skin care tips while there from 3pm to 6pm. (Full event details here). Moms get a night out courtesy of Mode on Main by Mara and Romp n’ Roll from 5 to 8 pm. Romp n’ Roll will bring swag bags for moms to take home to their family.
• Sidewalk Sales on Saturday and Sunday bring excitement outdoors with numerous sidewalk sales across the city. Explore Fairfax’s Funky Flea, which will include pop ups from several Fairfax City Shop Local Week retailers.
• Discovery Day Monday invites shoppers to explore shops and services they never knew they needed. Visitors can delve into their Vedic birth chart with Heart N Soul Yoga Studio or discover the visit the trio of women-owned boutiques on Main Street: Lucy Loves, Perfect Mistakes, and Mode on Main by Mara.
• Treat Yourself Tuesday focuses on pampering yourself - Stop by Omni Wellness & Performance from 12 to 2 pm for a massage and facial from Smiley Skin Beauty. Check out more HERE. Find Smiley Skin Beauty again at Mode on Main by Mara from 4 to 7 pm for a mini photoshoot with styling and a hand treatment. Register here for this FREE event!
• Wellness Wednesday spotlights "Good for You" offerings throughout the city. Begin with a consultation on hair and scalp health at Mara Hair and Mode Studio, then join Heart N’ Soul Yoga Studio for a special 5 Senses Yoga class at 6:15 PM. Find tickets for the event here.

Among the participating businesses are Mode on Main by Mara, Omni Wellness & Performance, eXurb Fitness, Heart N Soul Yoga Studio, Smiley Skin Beauty, Fairfax Surf Shop, Lucy Loves, Paradise Games and Gifts, Perfect Mistakes, Romp n’ Roll, Down the Line Sports Center, Brooke's Bridal & Ball, and Brooke's Bridal & Beyond.

Fairfax City Shop Local Week not only promises to deliver an enjoyable shopping experience but also contributes significantly to brand recognition for participating local retailers. Follow @FairfaxCityShopLocalWeek on Instagram and Facebook and join the conversation on social media with #FinditinFairfaxCity.