Camas merchants promote ‘shopping small’

Downtown Camas merchants are gearing up for another weekend of “shop local” and “shop small” events designed to kickstart the annual holiday shopping season with an emphasis on small, independently owned businesses.

More than a dozen downtown Camas businesses will participate in the Downtown Camas Association’s annual “Little Box Friday” event the day after the Thanksgiving holiday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and the annual “Shop Small Saturday” event Saturday, Nov. 25.

The DCA calls the event, which emphasizes supporting smaller, locally owned businesses instead of national “big box” retailers on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year — a “celebration of the joy of shopping locally.”

Participating Camas merchants throughout the city’s historic downtown area will have “little boxes” of coupons, gifts and specials to offer customers who visit on Friday, Nov. 24.

Shoppers can also earn a “Golden Ticket” with every purchase from a participating merchant Nov. 24 through Dec. 8, for a chance to win prizes from downtown Camas merchants. The tickets also will be entered in a grand-prize drawing for a $250 downtown Camas shopping spree, courtesy of local Real Estate Broker Carla Edwards.

According to the DCA, more than a dozen downtown Camas merchants are set to participate in the Little Box Friday event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, including:

• Allure Boutique: 407 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Arktana: 415 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Attic Gallery: 421 N.E. Cedar St.

• Burgerville: 518 N.E. Third Ave.

• Caffe Piccolo: 400 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Camas Antiques: 305 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Camas Cellars: 602 N.E. Third Ave.

• Juxtaposition: 425 N.E. Fourth Ave.• LiveWell Camas: 417 N.E. Birch St.

• Natalia’s Cafe: 437 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Naturally Healthy Pet: 317 N.E. Cedar St.

• Navidi’s Olive Oils and Vinegars: 322 N.E. Cedar St.

• Papermaker Pride: 339 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Periwinkle’s Toy Shoppe: 326 N.E. Cedar St.

• Poppy & Hawk: 223 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Runyan’s Jewelers: 327 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• Sweet Intention Gift Boutique: 218 N.E. Fourth Ave.

• The Soap Chest: 521 N.E. Everett St.

• The Wild Hair: 418 N.E. Cedar St.

• William & Son Jewelers: 210 N.E. Fourth Ave.

Local shopping continues on ‘Shop Small Saturday’

Shoppers who want to continue their support of locally owned businesses also will find deals and specials during the annual “Shop Small Saturday” event the Saturday following the Thanksgiving holiday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 25.

Participating downtown Camas businesses will host specials in their shops on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and give away free ‘Shop Small’ merchandise while supplies last.

Founded by American Express in 2010, the annual “shop small” event focuses on the benefits of supporting locally owned, independent businesses during the holiday shopping season.

According to the American Express Neighborhood Champion Program, around two-thirds of every dollar spent at a locally owned small business stays in that community.