INDIANAPOLIS — Small Business Saturday will be November 25, a “holiday” declared by small businesses to bring awareness to the importance of small businesses in communities. The east side has many small businesses that will be part of Small Business Saturday.
The Near Eastside Tinsel Town, hosted by IndyEast Promise Zone, will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. all up and down East 10th St. and East Washington St. Grab your small business bag on the Near Eastside and participate in holiday activities for all ages. Bags will have coupons for the entire season from participating businesses and a chance to win extra present-purchasing gift cards. Enjoy a pop-up art market, ornament-making, letters to Santa, snowflake craft, and drink and food specials. Restaurants, bars, and businesses such as Audrey’s Furniture will be participating.
In Irvington, Bookmamas at 9 S. Johnson will host a number of book signings and special events, including Mark Montieth from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Reborn: The Pacers and the Return of Pro Basketball to Indianapolis), Jane Ammeson (Hauntings of the Underground Railroad), Donna Griffin (The Twelve Days of Christmas in Indiana), and Francesca Zappia from 1-3 p.m. (Eliza and Her Monsters). Also, get your entries ready for the Gingerbread Contest at Bookmamas. Entries will be taken Nov. 25-Dec. 6 and will be divided into three categories: Ages 10 and under, Ages 11-18, and Adult. All entries must be delivered to the store during store hours until Dec. 6. Gingerbread houses must have a base of 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches or smaller. The front of the house should be 11 inches. Houses should be made of edible products. Judging will be Thursday, Dec. 7 and prizes will be awarded on Friday, Dec. 8 during the Merchants Holiday Open House from 5-9 p.m., All houses must be picked up by January 6 or they will be discarded.
Magic Candle, the Bonna Shops, and many other Irvington businesses will be participating in Small Business Saturday, so be sure to visit the shops of Irvington along East Washington St., Audubon, and Bonna.
Broad Ripple Village will host a pop-up shop from 12-5 p.m. a 7,000 sq. ft. vacant space. Over 30 vendors will be on hand with unique gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list and support local artists, crafters, makers, and entrepreneurs in the process. We will also have beer and wine for sale.
We will be giving away complimentary reusable canvas bags to the first 100 visitors. Some bags will have gift cards in them to local Broad Ripple businesses. The shops will be open at 721 Broad Ripple Ave.