Support local stores this Small Business Saturday with events in State College and Bellefonte
The days after Thanksgiving are known to be the kick-off of the holiday shopping season with days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but for those looking to keep their hard earned money local, Small Business Saturday is the day for you.
Small Business Saturday, a marketing initiative started by American Express in 2010 to encourage people to shop in small, local businesses, will take place again this year and there are some special things planned for it in Centre County.
The Downtown State College Improvement District will be outside The Corner Room from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday with a spinning wheel giving away Downtown gift cards.
A number of downtown State College businesses will also have special promotions.
For the holiday season in general, Downtown State College Improvement District provides free parking and CATA bus tokens through Jan. 4 with a few exceptions. Free meter and lot parking is available all day Thursday but event rates will be implemented for Friday, Saturday and Sunday because of the home Penn State football game.
From Dec. 2 until Dec. 19, free two-hour garage parking is available, as well as free meters and lots from 5 until 10 p.m. Event rates will be implemented Dec. 20-22 if Penn State has a home playoff game.
Then, from Dec. 23 until Jan. 4, there will be unlimited free garage, meter and lot parking. Free bus tokens are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays between Dec. 2-24 at the Downtown Improvement District’s office at 127 S. Fraser Street. One token per person, per day is available.
Bellefonte
Bellefonte’s Small Business Saturday will include live music, the annual Shop Small Crawl and other special activities throughout different downtown Bellefonte businesses.
Beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, special Bellefonte Shop Small Crawl tote bags, designed by local artist Jordan Haines, will be given to the first 100 attendees at the Speakeasy located inside the The Gamble Mill. There’s a limit of one bag per customer, and it’s on a first come, first served basis.
At participating businesses, customers can then present their tote bag for a free gift or surprise discount. A map of participating businesses will be included inside the tote bag.
After shopping throughout Bellefonte, people are invited to meet in Talleyrand Park for tree lighting festivities. Luminary lighting, holiday cookies and hot drinks will be available and the tree lighting ceremony will be at 5:45 p.m.
Courtesy parking begins on Friday through Jan. 1 in Bellefonte Borough. The first time a parking enforcement officer observes your car with no time on the meter, you’ll get a complimentary two-hour pass.
