MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Downtown Morgantown businesses are ready to welcome holiday shoppers for Small Business Saturday.
Main Street Morgantown will team with local businesses and independent vendors to host what is being called ‘Small Business Saturday 2024: A Celebration of Small & Local’ on High Street starting Saturday at 11 a.m. Executive Director for Main Street Morgantown Erik Carlson encourages Morgantown area residents to stop by, where there will be opportunities to take advantage of great deals while supporting the local economy.
“In downtown starting at 11 o’clock, you’ll have your opportunity to get your picture with Santa Claus, from there you’ve got dozens of our local retailers not only being open but offering special discounts,” said Carlson. “Including special incentives to make sure to go ahead and capture your business for the holiday season,” he said.
Over a dozen local businesses based in the downtown area will open up their doors about an hour ahead of the Small Business Saturday festivities. To entice shoppers, each business plans to do their own unique promotions that range from free gifts and bonus items for making large purchases to discounts that will only take place on Saturday. The businesses open will offer a variation of locally crafted goods along with unique handmade items from local artisans.
“Cool Ridge is offering ten percent off any purchase over thirty dollars, and Hoot and Howl is offering a free goody bag with a branded tote or tea for the first 20 customers who spend 75 dollars or more,” said Carlson. “And Short Cutz barber shop is offering any free haircut or beard trim on Small Business Saturday, and that’s just a small sampling,” he said.
Carlson added that there will also be free community activities that will be hosted by the Monongalia County Courthouse Square. There will be photo opportunities with Santa Claus on the square along with free cookies and hot chocolate, which will be taken inside of the Ward Building in the event of inclement weather. There will also be close to a dozen independent vendors who will offer a variation of vintage goods, homemade crafts, and pieces of art.
“We’ll have that at courthouse square, thanks to our friends over at Hotel Morgan,” said Carlson. “If you’re wanting to go see Santa or just do a little walk-by and grab a cookie or hot chocolate, they’ll have that for you there along with Santa Claus and all of his jolly spirit.”
While shops around downtown Morgantown are expected to host their respective promotions throughout Small Business Saturday, they will also maintain holiday shopping hours in the weeks ahead of Christmas. This will allow for shoppers to have the opportunity to buy a unique item regardless of their work schedule. With all the proceeds directly benefiting the local economy, Carlson encourages Morgantown area residents to come on down to High Street and see what downtown Morgantown businesses have to offer.
“If you really want something that special that means something, we have that here in Morgantown,” Carlson said. “We have it from local artisans, we have it from local artists, just so many opportunities to have great thoughtful gifts.”
Parking will be free at all City of Morgantown parking lots as part of Small Business Saturday.