As the holiday shopping season kicks off, some small businesses are banding together to draw the community into their local stores with deals they hope will amplify the fun of in-person shopping.
DENVER — As the holiday shopping season kicks off, some small businesses are banding together to draw the community into their local stores with deals they hope will amplify the fun of in-person shopping.
On Tennyson Street in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood, the annual Small Business Passport event is meant to keep the local economy thriving, while helping the community finds unique gifts.
“Shopping small and shopping local for us… it's not about people buying things or us selling things,” said Nicole Wolsey-Neech, who started the Small Business Passport more than a decade ago.
Creating opportunities for shoppers to buy local products from local shops “is like a complete domino effect in fueling the local economy,” she said.
This year’s shopping event – from November 30 to December 1 – is the biggest yet, with 40 businesses offering discounts.
“With a redemption of any deal, the business will give you a little red stamp, and each stamp is equal to one entry to win a gift basket,” Wolsey-Neech said. The gift basket is full of gift cards and products from the participating businesses with a total value of $1,600.
After shopping around the neighborhood and gathering stamps, shoppers can drop off their passport for a chance to win.
At the Jolly Goods gift shop run by Wolsey-Neech, almost everything on the shelves is locally made, much of it handmade by artists who live right in the neighborhood.
You’ll find everything from candles and cards to clothes and jewelry, like the Canned Goods jewelry line that local artist Thomas Paul Althaus crafts from recycled tin cans.
Jolly Goods is offering $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. But Wolsey-Neech hopes shoppers will take the chance to explore multiple shops on the passport.
“We love it,” said Katie Carrera, who runs the local flower and plant shop Fern & Bloom. “It brings out a lot of people… out of the big box stores and just to hang out in the neighborhood.”
And Carrera said this year, local shoppers are needed more than ever.
“It has been difficult,” she said. Prices for everything are rising, including the locally-made products in her shop and the fresh flowers and plants she arranges into bouquets.
“Having the community show up and support and shop with us is really important to get through the busiest time of the year,” she said.
For Wolsey-Neech, who is excited to kick off the eleventh year of this collaborative event, said it’s about more than keeping small businesses open, it’s about “keeping the community strong.”
In the weeks to come, there's many more opportunities to shop local, including at these holiday markets:
Cherry Creek Holiday MarketNov. 21 – Dec. 24
Cherry Creek North2401 E. 2nd AveSuite 150Denver, CO
Denver ChristkindlmarketNov. 22–Dec. 23
Civic Center Park101 14th AvenueDenver, CO
Mistletoe MarketNov. 30 – Dec. 22
Dairy Block1800 Wazee StreetDenver, CO
Holiday BAZAAR at Belleview StationNov. 30 – Dec. 1
Belleview Station6791 East Chenango AveDenver, CO
Horseshoe MarketNov. 30 – Dec. 1
Northwest Denver3550 Federal BlvdDenver, CO
Graveyard Markets: The Lemur and Friends BazaarDec. 1
Learned Lemur2220 East Colfax AveDenver, CO
Holiday BAZAAR at Larimer SquareDec. 5 – Dec. 15 & Dec. 17 – Dec. 22
Larimer Square1430 Larimer StDenver, CO
Holiday MercadoDec. 6 – Dec. 7
Museo de las Americas861 Santa Fe DrDenver, CO
It’s a RiNo-Ful Life Holiday MarketDec. 7
River North Art DistrictTruss House3400 Arkins CtDenver, CO
Vegan Holiday Market - BoulderDec. 7
6185 Arapahoe RdBoulder, CO
Vegan Holiday Market – DenverDec. 15
833 Santa Fe DrDenver, CO
YouthBiz MarketplaceDec. 7
Young Americans3550 East 1st Ave.Denver, CO
And here are a few more holiday markets outside of Denver:
Horseshoe MarketDec. 7 – Dec. 8
Breckenridge Brewery2920 Brewery Ln. Littleton, CO
Downtown Lakewood Holiday BAZAARDec. 7– Dec. 8 & Dec. 21– Dec. 22
Belmar Plaza439 S. Upham StLakewood, CO
Holiday Boutique at the Depot Art GalleryDec. 22
Depot Art Gallery2069 W. Powers AveLittleton, CO
6th Annual Mountain Toad Holiday MarketDec. 8
Mountain Toad Brewing900 Washington AveGolden, CO
Holiday Arts & Pottery SaleDec. 14
Washington Heights Arts Center6375 W 1st AveLakewood, CO
Boulder County Fairgrounds Winter MarketDec. 7 – Dec. 8
9595 Nelson Rs.Boulder, CO
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