Small Business Saturday 2024 In Ellicott City: See Sales, Deals

ELLICOTT CITY, MD— Saturday, Nov. 30, is a crucial day for independently owned local businesses across Howard County. It’s Small Business Saturday, the kickoff to “shop small” events that emphasize the power of dollars spent in local communities.

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is sandwiched between the major Black Friday retail shopping holiday, which tends to favor national brands, and Cyber Monday, an online shopping event that this year takes place on Dec. 2.

Here are just a few of the local businesses are participating in this year’s event:

• Craft It! Attend a holiday crafting workshop at Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar to create custom candles or handmade earrings that make for heartfelt, personal gifts.
• Personalized Decor: G+H Workshop offers a range of personalized items, including kitchen and bar signs, wall decor perfect for new homeowners, as well as Christmas ornaments and custom holiday name tags.
• Experience Gifts: Opt for gift cards to favorite local restaurants or a night out at Toby’s Dinner Theatre for an unforgettable evening of dining and live entertainment.
• Cozy Comforts: Pick out something warm and stylish from Bra-la-la or Sweet Elizabeth Jane to keep your loved ones snug through the winter season.
• Books for Every Taste: Browse Backwater Books for a carefully curated selection that matches your recipient’s unique interests, from bestselling novels to niche topics.
• Foodie Favorites: Assemble a gourmet gift basket with local treasures like Althea’s Almost Famous Jerk Sauce and craft beer from Manor Hill Brewing for the culinary enthusiast in your life.
• Clippers Canine Café: 20% off on holiday toys and advent calendars, huge sales on some pet foods and treats.
• Earth Tribe Shop: The shop is full of holiday gifts for everyone on your list including you. We’ll have organic snowball cookies and cider while you peruse our ornaments, organic cotton clothing, accessories, jewelry and clean skincare items.
• The Wine Bin: Wine tasting 12-6, 5% off 6 or more bottles of wine, 15% off 12 or more bottles of wine.

In Howard County, there are several places to shop and support local:

Historic Ellicott City: Historic Ellicott City is a charming destination for holiday shopping. Explore Main Street, lined with boutique stores, art galleries, and specialty shops. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted jewelry, vintage finds, or unique home decor, Ellicott City has something for everyone. Visit the Historic Ellicott City Gift Shop for a gift that blends nostalgia with local charm. Their puzzles, including the popular “The Enchanted Forest, Ellicott City, MD” 20-piece child’s puzzle, make wonderful presents. Featuring whimsical designs by hometown artist Wiley Purkey, these puzzles are proudly made in the USA. While they don’t ship, the shop offers convenient local pickup arrangements.

Savage Mill: For a shopping experience with a touch of history, head to Savage Mill. This historic cotton mill turned shopping destination is home to a variety of shops offering antiques, handmade crafts, and locally produced goods. Take a stroll through the mill’s corridors and discover hidden gems that make for perfect holiday gifts. The Savage Mill Yuletide Festival kicks off Small Business Saturday with the grand opening of the Holiday Makers Market.

Local Artisan Pop-Ups: Keep an eye out for local artisan pop-ups and craft fairs happening throughout the holiday season. These events showcase the talent and creativity of local artisans, offering a diverse range of handmade gifts, from custom clothing to unique artwork. You won’t want to miss the Merriweather District Holiday Market on Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 8 from noon to 3 p.m. Another must-visit holiday shop is the Artisan Christmas Market at Turf Valley Resort on Sundays in December from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check this community calendar for details on upcoming pop-ups in Howard County.

Since it started in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $163 billion at small businesses across all 12 Small Business Saturdays combined.

There are 668,365 small businesses in Maryland, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 state profiles.

Women made up 48.9 percent of workers and owned 45.5 percent of businesses. Veterans made up 5.5 percent of workers and owned 5.7 percent of businesses. Racial minorities made up 46.5 percent of workers and owned 40.2 percent of businesses.

Local businesses depend on increased sales in the last few months of the year to help them reach their revenue goals, and you’ll find plenty of in-store cheer and holiday happenings that will make the shopping experience fun.

Locally owned businesses recirculate a far greater percentage of revenue locally compared to absentee-owned businesses, according to the American Independent Business Alliance. Independents return about 48 percent of their revenues back into the local economy, compared to 14 percent returned to the local economy by chains.

Small businesses are typically defined by the federal government as those with fewer than 500 employees.

They are responsible for two of every three jobs over the past 25 years. Even a partial collapse of small businesses could weaken the overall U.S. economy, according to the Labor Department.