Bards Alley Bookstore Announces Small Business Saturday Events

From Bards Alley: Bards Alley, an independent bookstore on historic Church Street in Vienna, is teaming up with American Express to highlight Small Business Saturday on November 24! The popular bookstore, which opened in July 2017, is celebrating the day with raffle prizes, book recommendations and signings by local authors, and more.

Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, began over a decade ago with the help of American Express to remind holiday shoppers to buy local. Since its inception, U.S. customers have spent an estimated total of $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the special day.

Bards Alley owner Jen Morrow says, “We’re excited to host some special guests on Small Business Saturday, and kick off the holiday season with highly anticipated new titles and hand-selected gifts for everyone on your list. This is a special time of the year for small businesses like ours, though we encourage people to shop local throughout the year, too.”

Bards Alley boasts an inventory of over five thousand titles in an intimate setting that promotes literacy, supports local authors and schools, and engages the community. Bards Alley is unique with its concept of an independent bookstore and café serving coffee, snacks, beer, and wine from local vendors.

“Many of our customers tell me they love the relaxing atmosphere,” says Morrow. “Our in-store and offsite events are also popular because they ignite the love of reading, create connections for readers of all ages, and provide an outlet for people to engage with their community around books.”

In addition to their planned events on Small Business Saturday, Bards Alley will participate in the “Indie Bookstores Give Back on Small Business Saturday” campaign (#IndiesGiveBack) organized by the American Booksellers Association by donating a box of 24 special edition paperback copies of the award-winning Jason Reynold’s middle-grade novel, Ghost, to Reading is Fundamental of Northern Virginia (RIF of NOVA). RIF of NOVA is a 40-year-old nonprofit organization that provides books to underserved children in Northern Virginia.

Join Bards Alley in welcoming local authors Katy Upperman, Eugenia Kim, and New York Times-bestselling author Anna Whiston-Donaldson and buy local at Bards Alley on Small Business Saturday on November 24 for a chance to win some spectacular prizes! Small businesses account for 97% of all registered businesses in the U.S. and local money stays local. So come on out and support your community!

Image via Emily L.