Twenty Mass Ave businesses will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, handing out “swag bags” to the first 10 shoppers through the door – launching the 2019 edition of Small Business Saturday.
This year is the seventh straight that Mass Ave merchants have taken part in the event which emphasizes the importance of small businesses. This edition of Small Business Saturday is especially important to the businesses on the East End, the 800 and 900 blocks of Mass Ave where traffic has been thwarted by construction – but which are still accessible.
Santa’s arrival – by fire truck – will take place at 2 p.m. in the 300 block of Mass Ave, after which he will travel to the 700 block, landing finally at the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum where children can visit him from 2 to 4 p.m. Enhancing that experience will be “Cocoa & Cookies with Santa,” starting at 1:45 p.m. and lasting until Santa departs at 4 p.m. Santa’s visit is sponsored by Old National Bank. The parking lot northwest of the museum at College Avenue and St. Clair Street will be available and is exclusive for visiting Santa.
As an effort to support local shops that strengthen communities, American Express launched Small Business Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2010 to encourage people to “shop small” and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses
Today the six blocks of Mass Avenue has grown to 42 independently owned restaurants and 45 small retailers. Many of small shop retailers carry locally made goods. The local entrepreneurs are also big supporters of community causes and efforts. Mass Avenue businesses employ over 600 workers. Mass Ave is also home to over 4,000 residents and 2,650 theater seats.
The stores offering swag bags to start the day are Silver in the City, Decorate, Crimson Tate, The Best Chocolate in Town, Sage, Chatham Home, Global Gifts, City Dogs Grocery, Boomerang Boutique, Pumkinfish, Three Dog Bakery, Indy Reads Books, Club Pilates , The Hot Room Yoga and The Frame Shop.
