Small Business Saturday
Did you know the Saturday following Black Friday has been dubbed “Small Business Saturday”? This relatively new shopping holiday was founded by American Express in 2010 and has been officially cosponsored by the United States Small Business Administration since 2011. Shopping from small and local businesses is a great way to support the owners and their staff, rather than pouring more dollars into massive multimillion dollar organizations. They are often home to more unique gifts than you may find at a national retail chain — and we have an abundance of Rochester artisans to shop from this holiday season.
However, Small Business Saturday isn’t the only time to support local businesses. We’ve got a variety of holiday markets happening in December, offering an opportunity to shop from a bunch of different vendors in one space. These include:
The WCSA 2023 Holiday Shopping Fair
Conveniently located in Hirst Lounge, students, faculty and staff on the River Campus can easily find some holiday gifts on Friday, Dec. 1 from 10 am to 4 pm.
Holidays at the Market
Holidays at the Market is an over 26-year strong tradition at the Rochester Public Market and offers dozens of holiday-themed vendors with specialty foods and beverages, fresh-cut trees and wreaths, and hand crafted items. It’s happening on November 26, December 3, and December 10 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will even have horse-drawn carriage rides!
Secondhand Wonderland by The Op Shop
The Op Shop alone is a great spot to find some unique gifts but you can head over to their signature winter event at Nazareth University’s Golisano Training Center on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to shop from dozens of vendors.
It’s a Wonderful Life Holiday Festival
This festival is hosted by the Business Association of the South Wedge on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations throughout the neighborhood with over 90 arts & crafts vendors and food trucks.
The Market at the Armory (THEMTA)
THEMATA was established in 2016 by the owners of Peppermint Boutique (a great spot for Rochester themed gifts) and is a juried pop up market featuring makers from Western NY. Their markets are happening on Nov 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in December on the 7th, 14th, and 21st from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Roc Holiday Village
Opening for its fifth year downtown at Martin Luther King Jr. Square Park, Roc Holiday Village is a great spot for holiday shopping, hanging out with friends and family in their igloos and tents, and ice skating. It opens on December 1 and runs through December 23 with various hours for different activities.
Have any other holiday markets you think we should add to this list? Comment below. Happy shopping!
Written by Sarah Woodams ‘24(T5)
Photo by Sarah Woodams from Peppermint Boutique