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The weekend after Thanksgiving is officially the start of the holiday shopping season. You know this already, of course, because of the deluge of Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads chasing you around as you watch TV or browse online.
But there’s a way to embrace the spirit without succumbing to corporate commercialism: Shop local!
Here’s a roundup of deals offered by Philly shops, makers and professionals for the 2017 shopping weekend.
Arts & Crafts
Philly Love Notes
Emma Fried-Cassorla, the woman behind Philly Love Notes, is reprising her annual post-Thanksgiving deal. Buy one of her wood-carved maps of Philadelphia between now and end of day on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28), and all profits will be donated to a local nonprofit. Last year she raised a whopping $4,725, and she’s hoping to beat that total this year. 2017 recipients will include: The Marian Anderson Historical Society, Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory, SEAMAAC, Students Run Philly Style and Red Paw Relief.
Jezabel’s Studio
Jezabel Careaga is best known for the empanadas and other Argentinian treats at her eponymous Fitler Square cafe, but she recently opened a second location that doubles as a boutique to sell handmade goods — especially her hand-crafted hardwood cutting boards she fashions herself at NextFab Studio. On Small Business Saturday, most items in the shop will be on sale, with discounts ranging from 5 to 15 percent.
Vinyl Alter, Digital Underground, Dark Depths Games
This trio of sister shops that share an address on Fabric Row are celebrating Black Friday Record Store Day with sales on all kinds of artistic entertainment. Albums and other music items are 10 to 20 percent off for the day, and various games and model kits are up to 25 percent off Friday through Sunday.
Vault + Vine
In East Falls, this relatively new floral studio slash cafe and retail boutique is closed on Black Friday, but reopens on Small Biz Saturday with 15 percent off all holiday decor.
Clothing & Shoes
The Sable Collective
This North Philly boutique focuses on apparel made by people of color. Swing through on Black Friday to find specials on locally-made vintage clothing, jewelry, art, books and housewares, plus samples of whiskey, wine, coffee and sweets to make the shopping experience even more enjoyable.
Bus Stop Boutique
Know someone who flips for great footwear or accessories? Swing by this Fabric Row shoe store on Black Friday or Small Biz Saturday to find discounts of up to 25 percent on select shoes, boots and handbags.
Philadelphia Runner
Pick up a gift for the marathoner in your life at any of these active footwear shops if you want to help local nonprofits. For every $50 spent on Black Friday, you’ll get a $5 token to donate to the charity of your choice from the following list: Students Run Philly Style, Back on my Feet Philadelphia, ULIFTU, American Cancer Society’s Team DetermiNation and Team in Training Eastern Pennsylvania.
Exercise & Activity
Cadence Cycling
This Manayunk bike shop is offering a killer deal that extends from Black Friday all the way through the end of the weekend. For every $100 you spend — on bicycles, tuneups, accessories, cycling classes or other — you’ll get a $40 gift card back.
Koresh Dance
Someone you know love to dance, or been wanting to get into it? Make it easy by going online and purchasing a class card on Black Friday. Use the promo codes at the link and get 10 classes for $15 each (usually $20 each) or 20 classes for $14 each.
Neighborhood Small Business Saturday Deals
Mt. Airy
Forty-one businesses along the Germantown Avenue strip in this tree-strewn Northeast Philly neighborhood are offering discounts and specials. Look for deals on everything from yoga to diapers to paint nights to food and drink.
Chestnut Hill
Venture further up Germantown Avenue to explore gift and entertainment specials from a whopping 125 retail shops and restaurants, including boutiques and galleries, home goods stores, beauty experts and breweries.
South Street Headhouse District
More than a dozen spots along South Street and Fabric Row will offer various ways to save on shopping local. Look for deals on beer, fashion, airbrushing, vintage clothing and more.
Fairmount
The neighborhood around the Art Museum has plenty of businesses offering deal, but you can also win prizes for shopping there Saturday. Pick up a “Small Business Passport” at any participating retail location, then buy something from at least three different spots in the area and you’ll be entered to win a gift card. Or, enter the raffle by posting a #SmallBusinessSelfie and tagging @ArtMuseumArea on FB, Twitter or Instagrm.
Germantown
The Germantown United CDC has corralled dozens of local shopping destinations to participate in the day of deals, offering buy one, get one specials, discounts and other shopping enticements.
East Passyunk
A “Shopping Stroll” through South Philly runs all day Saturday, with discounts available at three dozen shops in the district. Pick up gift certificates for haircuts, yoga classes and acupuncture sessions and score deals on jewelry, fashion and candy, all while enjoying food and drink specials as you go.
Olney
The businesses along the North Fifth Street retail corridor have banded together to offer deals and discounts designed to encourage people to support independent businesses — each dollar spent, they say, returns three times more money to the local economy than one spent at a chain.