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Small Business Saturday celebrations planned in cities and towns throughout Delaware

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Small Business Saturday celebrations planned in cities and towns throughout Delaware

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Most of us have seen ads for Black Friday and even the rush of “Black Friday Now” promotions from the big stores and online sites, but Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 30, is for the little guy.

“We’re excited to promote and support our local small businesses,” said Michelle Hummel, executive director of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Like Middletown, cities and towns throughout Delaware have joined the nationwide campaign to “Shop Small” that day with special promotions, deals and entertainment.

Ironically, Small Business Saturday is the idea of a giant financial business, American Express. The company started Small Business Saturday in 2010 “to drive consumer spending at small businesses to benefit communities,” according to its website.

This year, American Express is donating $1 for every purchase made using an American Express card at a qualifying business on Nov. 30 to support recovery efforts for small businesses affected by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

The company also offers free signs and social media materials to businesses and an online map where customers can find participating stores.

What’s going on in Delaware on Small Business Saturday?

Here are some of the Small Business Saturday activities planned throughout the First State on Saturday, Nov. 30:

Wilmington

The Wilmington Jaycee’s Downtown Christmas Parade will start at 11 a.m. at Second and Market streets. The procession will feature local celebrities and officials, marching bands, string bands, community organizations, floats, cartoon characters and Santa Claus. The route travels north on Market Street past the review stand at 10th Street and ends at 11th and Market streets.

Children can bring their letters to Santa, which will be collected by elves at the end of the parade.

Street parking will be free, and the garages at Eighth and Orange streets and Sixth and Orange streets will be free from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Cottage by Monarch will host the Small Business Saturday Pop-Up Shop at 120 Greenhill Ave., from noon to 6 p.m. Small businesses that want to showcase products are welcome, but space is limited. For information on the fee and requirements, see the website themonarchmovementllc.com.

Devin Johnson Carroll and her sister, Dawn, came up with the idea to provide the pop-up shop.

“Community is very important to us and what better way to celebrate Small Business Saturday but open our space to other small businesses to generate revenue and create a marketplace,” Devin said.

Early vendors who have reserved spaces: Reverse Pink Jewelry, The Wellness Connection LLC, Alisha Cooper Wells, Mindset Specialist and Hedera Yoga.

The Cottage by Monarch is a co-working space and wellness center for women, with products, services, and programs that support the well-being of women such as yoga classes, personal and professional workshops, open mic night and monthly sip-and-shop events showcasing small businesses. 

More holiday cheer: Delaware’s Christmas pop-up bar scene kicks off early with new spots and old favorites

Delaware City

In Delaware City, Santa will arrive by fireboat at the municipal dock near Clinton Street at about 1 p.m. Nov. 30.

Visitors can take free photos with Santa and enjoy free harbor cruises if the weather cooperates.

A winter clothing giveaway will be held, organized by the Delaware City Library.

Stores and restaurants will welcome customers to “Shop Small.”

Love a parade?: Your guide to holiday parades in and around Delaware this year

Middletown

The Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce is planning a program to reward people who shop at participating businesses in Middletown, Odessa and Townsend on Small Business Saturday.

The chamber offers the “MACC Small Business Passport,” available for shoppers to download on the chamber’s website, said Michelle Hummel, executive director of the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce.

On the passport, shoppers can document each business they visit on Small Business Saturday. Each entry, whether through a completed passport or a social media post tagged “#SmallBusinessSaturdayMACC,” will be an entry into the Small Business Saturday raffle. The winner will be announced during a live drawing on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m.

“We’ll share more details on our Facebook page starting next week, so stay tuned,” Hummel said.

Milford

Downtown Milford Inc. is organizing Small Business Saturday featuring the arrival of Santa and a tree lighting ceremony.

Santa Claus will travel through town on a firetruck to his house on Walnut Street at 11 a.m. Nov. 30. Children 12 and under who visit will receive a free picture with Santa, a candy cane and a stocking filled with candy.

The tree-lighting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 30, with kids activities and cookies at 4:30 p.m.

Activities and promotions will be going on all day at downtown shops, restaurants, galleries and art venues.

Downtown Milford Inc. has free marketing materials and decorations for businesses that want to participate.

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Lewes

Santa arrives in Lewes on Small Business Saturday as part of the events planned by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

The jolly old elf will glide into town on the Cape Water Taxi at the city dock at 12:45 p.m. and stroll to his house at the corner of Second and Bank streets to visit with children from 1 to 3 p.m.

Children can drop off their letters to Santa in the mailbox next to his house.

Shops will have a variety of activities and promotions throughout the day.

Rehoboth Beach

Highlights of Small Business Saturday in Rehoboth Beach include Santa’s visit and a holiday farmers’ market.

Santa will visit with children from 1 to 3 p.m. at his house on the boardwalk near Rehoboth Avenue. Bring your camera to take photos. Giveaways for children are sponsored by Beach Babies Child Care and The Maxx Challenge of Lewes.

The holiday farmers market will be open from noon to 3 p.m. at Grove Park on the north side of Rehoboth Avenue near Columbia Avenue and the traffic circle, just east of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.

Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.

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