More than 30 Jefferson City businesses will participate in Small Business Saturday, where customers will find refreshments, prizes, drawings and sale prices.
This Saturday's event is intended to keep local businesses at the forefront of the hectic start of the holiday buying season. Founded by American Express, Jefferson City businesses have participated in Small Business Saturday since 2012, according to a news release. The event is sponsored by the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce, East Side Business Association, Westside Business Association, Downtown Association and Old Munichburg Association.
Each participating business will have drawing boxes where customers will have the opportunity to enter for a $500, $250 and $100 gift certificate that can then be used at any of the participating businesses before the end of the year.
Many of these small businesses will also have their own drawings and promotions as well. For example, Pizza Haus in Wardsville will be giving away Blue Moon mugs with certain purchases, River City Florist is doing a storewide 25 percent off sale, and Click2Sell4U/Kay's Collectibles will provide refreshments to all shoppers and have a drawing for a framed Thomas Kincaid print.
Participating businesses include: American Shoe, Art Bazaar, Ashley HomeStore, Bella Roos Boutique, Busch's Florist, Butterfly Treasure/Hospice Boutique, Carrie's Hallmark, Click2Sell4U/Kay's Collectibles, Dogwood Vintiques, Downtown Book & Toy, Gredell Engineering, Historic City of Jefferson, J Street Vintage, K's Consignment, Last Flight Brewing, Madison Street Realty, Mattie Grace Boutique, Mimi's Vintage & Gifts, Missouri Furniture, Pizza Haus in Wardsville, Premium Pets, Ready Popped, River City Florist, Samuel's Tuxedos & Gifts, Shop Girl, Southbank Gifts, Lavender Lily Gifts & Décor, The Schaefer House and Will West Music.
Two nonprofits are also in the mix this year. Historic City of Jefferson is holding an open house along with their salvage sale and access to their "experiential auction" where bidders can try to win front seats to a holiday parade from the balcony of Ivy Terrace with full access to its historic renovations or a tour of the Missouri state Capitol with Bob Priddy, a historian and the former Missourinet news director.
The second nonprofit is a cooperative program by the Optimists Club and Old Munichburg Association as they light up the "Magic Tree" at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 on the Hawthorn Bank lot on Dunklin Street. Madison Street Realty will provide refreshments.
"All of our businesses have been working hard through this past year, and this is the opportunity for the community to show how important small businesses are to our local economy," said Shaun Sappenfield, small-business manager for the chamber, in the news release. "It is a pleasure for the chamber and the other business associations to show their support as well."
For more information on Small Business Saturday and how to participate, call Donna Deetz at 573-619-4377 or Sappenfield at 573-634-3616.