Maine businesses gear up for a busy holiday shopping weekend
Courtesy / Main Street Bath
Retailers statewide will celebrate Small Business Saturday this weekend, as the holiday shopping season begins. Last year, Bath was decorated for the occasion.
Mainers, it’s time to get your holiday gift lists out and start shopping — Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are almost here.
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has long been known for mad rushes to malls and big-box stores, as consumers compete to buy hot gift items and take advantage of early season discounts.
The day is followed by Small Business Saturday, the annual holiday tradition that encourages shoppers to support local, independent retailers and entrepreneurs.
The day was created as a marketing tactic by American Express in 2010, and has since become an essential revenue stream for many small businesses. American Express estimates the day has contributed $184 billion to small businesses in total.
The National Retail Federation predicts that 65.6 million shoppers will turn out on Small Business Saturday this year.
Maine downtown organizations and chambers of commerce have many events planned for this weekend, celebrating both the holiday shopping season. Here is a list of a few places that will host Small Business Saturday events.
Biddeford
Shop small in Biddeford this year and support local businesses from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Participants will be able to enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate at the Heart of Biddeford cocoa stands, listen to live holiday performances, get local discounts at small businesses and more.
Castine
On Saturday, Dec. 2, Castine will host Light Up Castine. During the event On Main Street Castine, shops such as Mary Margaret’s Mercantile, Analog Attic Records, Gallery B Gallery, Compass Rose Books, Saltmeadow Properties, and DeRaat Real Estate will be open for holiday gifting needs, festive giveaways, and snacks.
The Castine Visitors Center Shopping will be open from 4-8 p.m., featuring additional merchants such as Highlands Woodturning, Tilth & Timber Farm, Antiques by the Sea, and the Castine Inn, selling crafts and homemade goodies and offering raffle prizes.
Freeport
While every day seems like Small Business Saturday in Freeport, the town is celebrating local retailers the next day with an event called Shop Small Sunday. Among the festivities, Mast Landing Brewing Co. is hosting over two dozen small businesses and crafters in its event space.
Kennebunk/Arundel
Kennebunkport and Arundel are hosting Pajama Shopping Day on Small Business Saturday. It’s a day to shop locally while staying in your PJs. Be sure to check out the chamber’s website to see when your favorite shop is opening and what kind of deals they will have.
Rangeley
In Rangeley and Oquossoc, shoppers can stop at the chamber's office to pick up brochures featuring participants, get a free tote bag, and more. Don’t forget to enter in the prize drawing for one of two $25 Chamber Bucks certificates.
Saco
In recognition of Small Business Saturday, the city will give away Saco Bucks to spend downtown. Participants will receive $5 towards one purchase on Saturday at the annual event hosted by Saco Main Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Head to Post Office Park to pick up your free $10 Saco Bucks, courtesy of the Saco Maine Street organization. Then, spend it at one of the participating Saco businesses.
Skowhegan
With its annual Passport to Savings program, Skowhegan is celebrating Small Business Saturday and the holiday season. Visit participating businesses in Skowhegan to pick up your passport the week before the event or get a digital version via the Main Street Skowhegan website. After each purchase, fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $100 gift cards to a locally owned business of your choosing. The more businesses you shop at, the more chances you have to win — and you have a full week to shop.
South Portland
Fork Food Lab will participate in Small Business Saturday with a lively market event at 95-97 Darling Ave. The event aims to showcase various small businesses' diverse offerings, featuring artisanal crafts, delectable treats, innovative products and more. The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Waterville
Save big all day with the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and Shop Small Saturday. Pick up a special Small Business Saturday coupon booklet full of deals and discounts at any participating small businesses. These businesses will also be handing out special shopping bags to hold your purchases and offering a chance to win a $100 chamber gift certificate, good at nearly 200 local businesses.
Black Friday
Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season and is, in fact, the busiest day for most retailers nationwide.
According to the National Retail Federation estimates that holiday spending is expected to reach record levels during November and December and will grow between 3% and 4% over 2022 to between $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion.
“It is not surprising to see holiday sales growth returning to pre-pandemic levels,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay in a press release. “Overall household finances remain in good shape and will continue to support the consumer’s ability to spend.”
Here is a list of Black Friday store hours in Maine:
- The just-launched Costco in Scarborough will be open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Target, Walmart and Best Buy stores around the state will all be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Macy’s at the Maine Mall in South Portland will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Kohl's locations will be open from 5 a.m. to noon.
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