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Bargains continue on Small Business Saturday
Jill Iantoni of Highland Park (left) and her daughter Julia, 11, look for some socks for Julia and shoes for Jill at Running Away Multisport. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
Updated: November 21, 2012 4:12PM
DEERFIELD — After the turkeys are gobbled down and leftovers are stashed in the fridge on Thursday, it will be time for the start of the holiday shopping season.
And Deerfield businesses say they are ready, armed with unique sales and specials to draw in shoppers on what is now being called Small Business Saturday, which comes a day after Black Friday, the traditional after-Thanksgiving shopping day.
This year, Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 24.
At locally-owned Avenue Fashions, in Deerfield Square on Waukegan Road, the holiday shopping season will start with a party, open to all.
“We have a Christmas party sale that starts on Saturday,” owner Sandy Panuce said. “It’s all day Saturday and Sunday, with food, coffee, champagne and hors d’oeurves.”
Panuce said their sale includes 40 to 50 percent off of certain merchandise, free gift- wrapping and free alterations for all holiday dresses purchased.
“It’s called Happy Saturday,” Panuce said of her sale. “It’s also very important. It’s hard these days to be a single retailer, and we’re always thankful for every customer.”
Running Away Multi-Sport, also in Deerfield Square, will kick off its holiday sale on Black Friday. Manager Tim Ams said “progressive discounts” would be available throughout the day.
“The percentage off changes,” Ams said of Friday’s sale. From 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., the store offers 20 percent off; 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., 15 percent off; and 3:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. 10 perecent off.
“Ams said the store takes pride in being a Deerfield-owned business, and that buying local is “giving back to the community.”
“Everybody that works for us lives in the community, it’s not like you’re sending your money to California to support them,” Ams said. “We support the community, and we appreciate getting the support back.”
At Midtown Athletic Club in Bannockburn, local spending is turning into a team effort this holiday season. Membership director Daniella Spaid said the club has placed gift baskets valued at $1,000 each in 12 different locally-owned stores in the Deerfield area, all up for a give-away.
“We will have a drawing, and someone will win one those baskets on Black Friday,” Spaid said. “The North Shore is very community-oriented and they (residents) do really try to support the local businesses.”
As far as Midtown’s holiday offerings, Spaid said the club will waive all membership dues for new members until next year.
The Bannockburn health club recently held a health and beauty showcase, Spaid said, which included 20 local vendors who showcased their goods for some pre-holiday shopping.
Spaid said you can find out where those gift baskets are located by calling Midtown Athletic Club.
The Deerfield, Bannockburn, Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce said it finds Small Business Saturday a great asset to the local economy.
“The DBR Chamber of Commerce believes it’s very important to support local businesses, and to shop in your community,” a chamber spokeswoman said. “Giving back to the businesses is what keeps the businesses solvent and keeps the community vibrant.”
