Alexandria Prepares for Small Business Saturday

Alexandria, with its numerous Mom ‘n Pop shops and boutiques, is preparing for Small Business Saturday, which takes place the day after Black Friday next weekend.

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce will be handing out shopping bags containing maps, coupons, prizes, and special treats for small business Saturday shoppers.

You can get your shopping bags next Saturday, Nov. 28, at Market Square, at 301 King St., between 9 a.m. and noon. Bags will be handed out in Del Ray in front of Pork Barrel BBQ, 2312 Mt. Vernon Ave., around 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Random bags will contain gift cards to local restaurants. For example, A la Lucia/Hunting Creek, Bastille/Bistrot Royal, Port City Brewery, Teaism, and Bobby McKeys all donated gift cards.

Other businesses provided coupons, special deals, give away items, and other surprises for shoppers, including discounts from George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Historic Alexandria.

Society Fair, part of the EatGoodFoodGroup, is providing special treats in the bags.

As the voice of business in the City, the Chamber works with the various stakeholders in the City, including VisitAlexandria, the Old Town Boutique District, the Del Ray Business Association, and the West End Business Association, among others, to ensure Alexandria remains one of the country’s top venues for small business shopping.

“We are excited to be promoting Alexandria and our businesses as the place to ‘shop small’ for big rewards,” stated Shari Simmans, vice president, Marketing & Events, for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce. “The majority of our member businesses are independently owned and thus face unique challenges in competing for shoppers. Programs such as this provide cross-marketing opportunities, and establish Alexandria as the ideal location where shoppers can find one-of-a-kind treasures as they begin their holiday preparations.”