More than just Small Business Saturday:
Why it is important to shop small by patronizing local boutiques and restaurants this Saturday…and beyond.
Think Big. Shop Small. When shopping small and local, you get that unique, boutique feel as well as individualized pricing and personalized attention. When independent businesses thrive, they add to the vibrancy and uniqueness of the community in which you live.
At The Southern Atelier we love to shop small and support local. Included in this post are all the details you need to know in order to shop small but still score big this holiday weekend (some of the sales are even going on now!).
Living in Fairhope has allowed me to shop almost exclusively small and local. Here are some of the things I have learned about investing in where you live:
Why Shop Local?
1. You will help create jobs in the community
Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally. Additionally, local businesses that are owned by people who live in this community are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s future.
2. Your tax dollars stay local
Local businesses in town centers require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services as compared to nationally- owned stores entering the community.
3. Small businesses are more likely to give back to the neighborhood
Non-profit organizations receive on average 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses. When fundraising for your favorite local charity, you are much more likely to receive donations from the mom-and-pop shop down the street than you are from a big box store.
4. Small independent businesses affect the community
Several studies have shown that when you buy from an independent, locally-owned business, rather than a nationally-owned businesses, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers, and farms — continuing to strengthen the economic base of the community.
Shop Small + Shop Local: Online
Coming from three generations of small business owners, I greatly respect the impact of shopping locally. This year, more so than the past, it seems that shopping online is increasingly tempting this holiday season.
Thanks to advances in both marketing and technology – consumers can now shop small online. Small businesses utilize Instagram and Facebook to post outfits for you to purchase and several now have their own websites. Some of my favorite stores that make it very simple to shop online from your couch while supporting small, locally-owned businesses are listed below along with their sales for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday:
Black Friday Came Early: Sales Happening Now
JAGged Edge Jewels: Birmingham, Alabama
Jewelry
JAGged Edge Jewelry is quality, handmade jewelry, crafted in Birmingham, Alabama. My favorite part: 10% of every purchase goes to help children with autism and 10% goes to help children with cancer. That means 20% of every purchase goes to good!
Sale Details: 35% off total purchase
Sale Dates: Wednesday through Saturday
Code: Black Friday
Shop the sale by clicking this link.
Beautycounter with Sarah Levey: Fairhope, Alabama
Clean Beauty Products
Beautycounter creates safer, high-performing products for the whole family, backed by the belief that you never need to compromise your health in the name of beauty. This fashionable makeup line is known for its transparency; according to Beautycounter, “We believe clear information is one of the most important factors in any purchasing decision. You can feel confident knowing that we share the fragrances, flavors, and preservatives we formulate with.”
Sale Details: 15% off + Free Shipping on all orders over $50
Sale Dates: Now through Cyber Monday
Code: None – discount is already applied
To shop the sale click this link.
Coastal Road: Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
American Made Leather Goods
Coastal Road Leather Goods is a collection of custom embossed leather handbags, jewelry & accessories made for those who value unique luxury leather design. Honoring the timeless heritage of leather craft, each of our pieces are handcut, sewn, and sent out into the world to endure a life well traveled.
Sale Details: 25% off site wide + Free Shipping
Sale Dates: Now through next Tuesday (11/27)
Code: HappyGiving
To shop the sale click this link.
Maho Shades: Orange Beach, Alabama
Sunglasses
“We could never find high quality polarized lenses paired with high quality, retro frames, so we founded Maho. Every pair is designed on the Gulf Coast for life on the water, inspired by travel and architecture, and handmade in family-run factories.”
Sale Details: Buy two pairs, get one of equal or lesser value for free
Sale Dates: Now through Cyber Monday (November 26)
Code: None
Shop this sale online by clicking this link.
*Note: Maho Shades only does one sale per year and this is it! However, you can always use promo code: SOUTHERN to get 10% off of your non-sale purchase.
Native Polish: New Orleans, Louisiana
Clean Beauty Nail Polish
Native is vegan, cruelty free and 7 free, which means polishes do not contain seven harmful chemicals: formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), xylenes and parabens.
Sale Details: 30% off all shades + FREE surprise bottle with every purchase
Sale Dates: Now through Monday 11/26
Code: BLACKFRIYAY
Shop the sale online by clicking this link.
REP Active Art: Birmingham, Alabama
Active Fashion/Athleisure
In November of 2016, Ruth Polson (a dentist by day, artist by night) transformed her artwork into activewear leggings and created REP Active Art and got to set her art in motion. Each vibrant and lively print, named after inspirational women in RP’s life, originated as a piece of art on canvas or paper. Each pair is supportive, lint-free and is constructed with a high waist to combat the dreaded “muffin top.” Sold as leggings and capris, each pair makes a stand alone style statement and can easily transition from the gym to lunch or dinner with a few accessory edits.
Sale Details: 25% off site-wide
Sale Dates: Now through Saturday
Code: BLACKFRIDAY25
Shop the sale online by clicking this link.
Liquid Assets: Fairhope, Alabama
IV Therapy
IV and Infusion therapy to boost your mood, lift your spirits and have you feeling your best! Give us a call to book your appointment: (855) 234-9355.
Sale Details: Mini Recharge IV for $125 (regular $147)
This is why I LOVE the Mini Recharge IV – especially during the Holiday Season:
|
Boost energy levels |
Enhance immunity to prevent illness | Combats exhaustion |
| Shorten recovery time | Minimize negative effects of travel | Rehydrates body |
Sale Dates: November 19th-30th
Minette Boutique: Birmingham, Alabama
Women’s Online Clothing Boutique
MINETTE is an online only boutique as of now, but Birmingham locals can also shop by appointment. To give THANKS this holiday season, Minette will be spelling out THANKS with six days of sales leading up to Black Friday. We will be announcing a new sale each day!
Sunday: T is for Tops
Sale Details: 20% off all Tops
Code: TOPS
Monday: H is for Handbags
Sale Details: Spend $150, get a free Handbag (a fab 3-in-1 crossbody clutch)
Code: No code needed. Handbag automatically added to your package.
Tuesday: A is for Accessories
Sale Details: BOGO 20% Off All Accessories*
*includes jewelry, scarves, agate bottle stoppers, gifts and handbags
Code: SPARKLE
Wednesday: N is for Neutrals
Sale Details: 20% off all Neutral Sweaters (black, white and neutral)
Code: NEUTRAL
Thursday: K is for Kicks
Sale Details: 15% off all Kicks
Code: KICKS
NEW SALE!
Friday: S is for Shop
Sale Details: Redeem one previous sale you missed!
Code: Use code from that day
Holiday Weekend Sales:
Kara Strope Designs: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Sale Date: Black Friday from 8am-Noon
Sale Details: 50% off site wide
Shop the Sale by clicking this link.
Kiki Risa: Destin, Florida
Sale Date: Black Friday
Sale Details: All shoes 40% off + select merchandise 75% off
Shop the Sale in store or on Instagram.
Purseption Bags: Alabama
Clear Stadium-Approved Bags
Prepping for the 2016 football season neither Brittany nor Laura Beth could find a bag cute enough to wear while following the new clear bag policy. Each design was created with love and inspiration from people around them while keeping functionality in mind. Every bag is classic yet stylish made with high quality PVC and genuine leather.
Sale Date: Black Friday
Sale Details:
7am-8am: 60% off || Code: BLACKOUT60
8am-Noon: 50% off || BLACKOUT50
Noon-3pm: 40% off || BLACKOUT40
3pm-12am: 30% off || BLACKOUT30
Shop the Sale by clicking this link.
LP Atletico: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Athletic Wear/ Athleisure
Lindsey and Pasquale met several years ago and bonded over their similarities which included fitness, fun, and fashion. They decided to combine all of these fabulous things to create an athletic wear store, something their current town needed desperately. They now enjoy bringing new, stylish athletic/athleisure pieces to Tuscaloosa.
Part 1. BLACK FRIDAY
Sale Details: 30% off plus Free Shipping
Sale Date: 12am-12pm 11/23
Code: BLACKFRIDAY
Part 2. CYBER MONDAY
Sale Details: BOGO 50% off + Free Shipping
Code: CYBER
Part 3. FREE SHIPPING
Sale Details: Free Shipping All Weekend
Sale Dates: 11/23-11/26
Code: None. Free shipping will be automatically applied!
Shop the sale by clicking this link.
Seraphine Design: Nashville, Tennessee
Jewelry
Sale Date: Black Friday
Sale Details: 15% off
Code: Friday15
“I believe that true beauty is natural; something that doesn’t need a lot of work. Our signature stone, raw pyrite, is the personification of this philosophy.”
Sale Date: Cyber Monday
Sale Details: 10% off
Shop the sale online by clicking this link.
Note: These will be Seraphine Design’s last sales before Christmas.
Harvest Jewels: Daphne, Alabama
Jewelry
Everyday Elegance with an Edge. Southern girl mother of pearl…meets big city renegade chic. The design goal is a piece that takes you from jeans to cocktail and anywhere in between.
Sale Date: Black Friday – Cyber Monday
Sale Details: 20% off your online order
Code: HARVEST20
Shop the sale by clicking this link.
Wisteria Way Designs: Coker, Alabama
Designer and Dressmaker
Bridal, Belles, Maternity- Wisteria Way Designs is more than just a name. It is an experience. It is our passion to bring your vision to life!
Sale Details: 20% off all signature premade gowns
Sale Date: Black Friday – November 29
Shop the sale by clicking this link.
Additional Details: For every gown sold this week, Wisteria Way Designs will adopt a child for Christmas through Church of the Highlands.
We have the rest of the sales information cued up as we await their release dates! Check back daily as new sales will be released each day. Follow our stories on Instagram and Facebook for the most current information on all the big sales from small businesses.
Think Big, Shop Small!
xx Sarah + Niki
