If there is one thing the DLBA wants to encourage this upcoming shopping season (and every shopping season), it’s to keep it local.
Given small businesses are the largest retail employers in the U.S. economy, the DLBA is once again encouraging the shoppers of Long Beach to escape the frantic and corporate attitude facing most consumer marketing tactics and instead, park your car for free and support Small Business Saturday (SBS) in DTLB on November 26—particularly again the Makers Mart along 1st Street between Linden and Elm Avenues in DTLB’s East Village.
Closed to traffic so that shoppers can explore local artisan booths freely, the event will feature food and live music while surrounding businesses offer specials on gift items. So far, dozens of makers and shakers, along with Downtown businesses, are offering their suggested gift items from 11AM to 5PM on November 26.
“Last year, we had to give a huge thanks to everyone who came out to the Long Beach Makers Mart,” said SIN-MIN owner Tyler Critelli, whose business is based out of Los Angeles. “It was a huge celebration of small business and collaboration through creativity. It’s refreshing to see people ditch the generic, mass-produced Black Friday mentality to support local talent and craftsmanship. It gave us the chance to meet face-to-face with some of our biggest supporters and earn some new ones in the process.”
As an added incentive, free parking at Lot 7 located at Broadway and Elm will be offered so shoppers can experience everything from a Makers Mart featuring local merchants and creators to live music and shop discounts.
To RSVP to the event and stay updated, visit the Facebook event page by clicking here.