The national campaign that encourages consumers to shop small and local will return to Virginia Beach for its third year this Saturday, Nov. 24. Organized by local co-working space 1701, Small Business Saturday will take place in the ViBe Creative District from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will showcase goods from over 20 resident vendors.
The small business pop-up in ViBe Park serves as a local alternative, or supplement, to the nationwide Black Friday frenzy. Coastal Virginia retailers will sell everything from fine art, jewelry and home décor to vintage clothing, swimwear and kids’ merchandise. Local libations will also be served by Bad Ass Coffee, Chesapeake Bay Distillery, Fathom Coffee and Three Ships Coffee.
“Small businesses—from artists to coffee roasters—are a vital part of the DNA in the ViBe Creative District. This is a neighborhood of people pursuing their dreams and we invite the public to come learn why ‘shopping small’ matters to our local economy,” says Kate Pittman, executive director of the ViBe nonprofit.
In addition to the outdoor marketplace at ViBe Park, permanent storefronts throughout the district will offer special sales and discounts. For an even better shopping experience, small business visitors can visit several retailers as part of the ViBe scavenger hunt for the chance to win a grand prize drawing worth over $500 in merchandise.
Other entertainment opportunities include a community mural painting with Rebecca McCurdy, live music and children’s activities.
Small Business Saturday is supported by grants from the City of Virginia Beach Cultural Affairs Office and The Capital Group Companies. Free public parking is available along 18th Street, in the City of Virginia Beach lot on 18th Street as well as in the private lot of Wareing’s Gym.
Visit ViBeCreativeDistrict.org for a full list of small business vendors.
Grace Silipigni
Grace Silipigni is an elementary school Spanish immersion teacher based in Virginia Beach and a regular contributor to Coastal Virginia Magazine, covering a wide range of topics such as health and wellness, education and learning, food and drink, happenings and events, travel and getaways and more.
