SHOP SMALL FOR THE HOLIDAYS
SUPPORT OUR SHOPS!
Downtown’s collection of independent, small businesses need your support!
This holiday season, be sure to shop small and make downtown’s local businesses your choice for gift buying, meals, and other seasonal fun.
Here are some ways you can help while enjoying the holidays:
Buy local gifts!
You can find the same old stuff at the big box stores, or you can give something truly unique this holiday season by shopping at downtown’s independent, locally-owned retailers. Shopping small and shopping local not only is the best way to find great gifts – it’s also a great way to help small businesses make ends meet during the winter months.
Check out our holiday gift guide!
We’ve made the giving easy by assembling some fantastic gift ideas from downtown businesses. Find ideas for everyone on your list here!
You can also use our Find It Downtown tool to see a list of all businesses by category.
Shop Small Events
Several businesses will host special Shop Small events on Small Business Saturday and other times. Here are a few we know about:
Bistecca – Fuel up for a full day of Shop Small Saturday with Brunch at Bistecca, available 7:00 AM–1:30 PM. When you’re ready to unwind, slide into Negroni Hour served bar side between 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM and toast to a day well spent supporting local.
CrossFit Dayton – Offering a free community CrossFit class at 8:30 a.m. on November 29.
Dayton Church Supply – Open 10-3 on Small Business Saturday November 29.
Don’s Pawn Shop – New Pair of Diamond Earrings – Special $20.99 on November 29.
The Dublin Pub – Live music by Viva La Strings and food specials on November 29.
Edward A Dixon Gallery – On Shop Small Saturday, November 29th, all artwork purchases in-store will receive a 5% discount.
Golden Hour Piercing – Black Friday, November 28 – Bring in any amount of food or hygiene items equating to $25 or more with a receipt and receive a free piercing. Jewelry sold separately. Walk-ins only 12-8 p.m.
Joui Wine – Open regular hours on Small Business Saturday.
Rabbit Hole Books – Opening at 10 AM on November 29 and featuring all kinds of interesting new items (and a renewed book inventory) – plus serving free hot tea and madeline cookies (the most literary cookie) throughout the day. Anyone bringing a non-perishable food item can take any book for free. Buy one Radical Tea Towel, get the second for half-price! There will also be a free wrapping station for folks to wrap up their gifts.
RAD Vintage Dayton – Grand Opening Weekend November 28-30.
Secret Beauty Hats & Boutique – 5% off winter coats and shawls on November 29.
Val’s Bakery – Val’s will have merch and gift cards sales on November 29.
Winans Coffee & Chocolate – Purchase $25 in holiday gifts or products on November 29 and your drink is on us! (Any beverage, any size – excludes wine)
If your business has something special planned for Small Business Saturday, send details to sands@downtowndayton.org.
Give Downtown Dollars!
Need a great, one-size-fits-all gift? Check out Downtown Dollars – the convenient, cashless currency you keep on your phone! Downtown Dollars is an e-gift card program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership designed to keep local dollars with our downtown businesses.
When you purchase Downtown Dollars for a friend, family member or colleague, you’re giving them the means to experience the best shopping, dining and entertainment in Downtown Dayton. Downtown Dollars are accepted at participating merchants in Downtown Dayton. Get all the details here.
Play, Shop, Dine, and Win!
New this year, the Downtown Dayton Holiday Hop makes it easy to win $25 in Downtown Dollars just by supporting three downtown businesses. Just visit three participating businesses between November 29 and December 22, collect stamps from each of them, and turn in your completed card to receive your prize! Get more info, including rules and a list of participating locations, here.
Make Downtown Your Destination for Holiday Fun!
Downtown has several fun things planned for the holiday season. Enjoy the Rike’s Holiday Windows, Virginia Kettering’s Holiday Train Display, the MetroParks Ice Rink at RiverScape, the Family Movie Series at THE NEON, and storefront windows throughout downtown decorated for the annual Whimsical Windows contest.
Make a day of it and enjoy these family-friendly holiday attractions while supporting local businesses for holiday shopping, eating, and celebrating. Get more details on holiday plans here.