Alexandria Shop Small Week To Feature In-Person, Virtual Deals

ALEXANDRIA, VA — As small businesses continue to seek support amid challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, Visit Alexandria is launching the first-ever Alexandria Shop Small Week in 2020.

The Shop Small Week from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 covers the traditional shopping days that follow Thanksgiving: Alexandria’s Black Friday for small businesses, Small Business Saturday, Museum Store Sunday and Cyber Monday. The 10-day event features deals, promotions and Instagram giveaways at independent boutiques.

Many small businesses offer shopping options like online ordering, curbside pickup, private appointments and more. Shoppers can check which businesses are part of the ALX Promise program, committing to higher safety standards for customers and employees than the minimum requirements.

Visit Alexandria has also launched a Guide to Alexandria Holiday Shopping featuring nearly 50 independent businesses. The guide allows shoppers to find places to buy gifts by category, from food and drink gifts to fashion and kids' gifts. There are also suggestions for businesses with online shopping for those who feel safer at home.

New this year is an Alexandria Santa-gram Giveaway from Nov. 9 to Dec. 20. Make a purchase in person or online from participating independent retailers in Alexandria for a chance to win a personalized video greeting from Santa himself. Take a photo of your receipt from between Nov. 9 and Dec. 20 and submit it through the Alexandria Santa-gram Giveaway Entry Form. Five winners will be selected each week for six weeks of giveaways from Nov. 9 to Dec. 20. The deadline for each weekly submission is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. Participating retailers are featured in the Guide to Alexandria Holiday Shopping.

Below is the Alexandria Shop Small Week schedule:

Nov. 9-Dec. 20: Alexandria Santa-gram Giveaway

Submit a receipt from your purchase at a participating independent retailer featured in Visit Alexandria’s digital Guide to Alexandria Holiday Shopping for a chance to win a personalized video greeting from the region’s most beloved Santa.

Nov. 27: Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday

Nearly 50 independent shops will offer some of their best deals of the year, and many will open early. The Old Town Business Association and Old Town Boutique District will celebrate Plaid Friday with two unique offerings: a free plaid mask with a purchase of $100 or more at participating Old Town stores, and a giveaway for two $50 gift cards to an Old Town Boutique District business when you submit a picture wearing a tartan as part of this year’s Virtual Plaid Patrol.

Nov. 28: Small Business Saturday

Almost 50 independent boutiques will offer discounts or gifts with purchase. There will also be free parking and prizes from the Elf Patrol. Look for masked elves who will be handing out gift cards to shoppers starting on Small Business Saturday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday in December.

Nov. 29: Museum Store Sunday

Receive discounts of 20 percent at participating Alexandria museum stores plus 20 percent off Black history merchandise from Manumission Tour Company’s online store.

Nov. 30: Cyber Monday

Shop from home with promotional online offers from more than 30 Alexandria boutiques include discounts, gifts with purchase and free shipping.

Dec. 1: Giving Tuesday

Participating shops and restaurants will donate a percentage of purchases to Alexandria nonprofits through a partnership with the Old Town Business Association.

Dec. 4-6: Instagram Gift Card Giveaways

Follow @VisitAlexVA on Instagram for three days of giveaways and your chance to win one of three $300 gift cards to a choice of local boutiques.

For more information, visit www.visitalexandriava.com/holidays/shop-small-week.

SEE ALSO: Your Guide To 2020 Alexandria Holiday Events