Shop Small Saturday is a big deal here in Hendricks County, Indiana, and nationwide. This year, it takes place on Nov. 29.
Small business owners are people from our communities who have a special talent and have risked everything to showcase it and make it available for purchase, often to support their families. In return, shoppers experience outstanding customer service, complete knowledge of the product in question and unique, handcrafted items that cannot be found anywhere else.
So, as a shopper, how can you support small businesses in Hendricks County?
Washington Township Parks Holiday Craft Fair
You don't have to wait until Small Business Saturday to start shopping small and local! Washington Township Parks & Recreation is hosting its annual Holiday Craft Fair inside the Washington Township Park Pavilion on Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Discover unique handmade gifts, festive decor and seasonal treats from local artisans and makers. It’s the perfect place to shop small, support your community and get into the holiday spirit! This event is free to attend.
Shop Small Saturday in Danville
Shopping small and local is so important that Discover Downtown Danville, Indiana, the Danville Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Danville will come together to bring you Shop Small Saturday in Danville on the historic Hendricks County Courthouse Square, Nov. 29.
From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., grab a coffee, browse the boutiques, enjoy a meal and discover hidden gems while showing your love for the businesses that make our community thrive. Follow the event on Facebook as time draws closer for more details.
Gingerbread Christmas
Every year, on the first Saturday in December, Plainfield Tri Kappa hosts its annual Gingerbread Christmas, a massive juried arts and crafts show, at Plainfield High School. This year's event takes place on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For a mere $5 a person, you'll gain access to more than 140 small businesses and vendors of all sorts who can undoubtedly put a large dent in your holiday shopping list. The best way to keep up with this year's Gingerbread Christmas is to follow them on Facebook.
Special Small Business Groups
Some shoppers don't care who owns their favorite small businesses, as long as they receive good customer service and a great product, while others do want to support specific groups of small businesses. For those who are interested, I've maintained a list of black-owned businesses here through Visit Hendricks County.
The Hendricks County Alliance for Diversity maintains an excellent list of women-owned businesses, the Avon Chamber of Commerce provides a list of LGBTQ, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses in Avon, and my fellow blogger Shawn Chambers will be unveiling a list of Hendricks County veteran-owned businesses on this blog in early November, right before Veterans Day.
Antiques & Vintage Stores
Do you enjoy shopping for antiques and checking out vintage stores? Well, we've got those in Hendricks County, too!
A few that immediately come to my mind are Copper Top Customs in Clayton, Gilley's Antique and Decorator Mall in Plainfield and the Roots to Wings Barn Market in Brownsburg. For even more options, check out the Visit Hendricks County list of antique and vintage stores.
Small Business Restaurants
All of this shopping makes a person hungry, right? When it's time to fill the tummy in between shops, you can continue to support small businesses by choosing to eat at locally-owned restaurants!
As for variety, the sky's the limit in Hendricks County: Asian food, bars and brewpubs, BBQ joints, breakfast options including pancakes, waffles, and French toast, brunch options, cafes and diners, comfort food, pie, pizza places, tenderloins, and the list goes on and on and on.
Three of my personal favorites are: Perillo's Pizzeria in North Salem (authentic Italian food), Mayberry Cafe in Danville (Andy Griffith Show-themed restaurant with home cooking) and Oasis Diner in Plainfield (1950s feel and specializing in a wide array of foods, hand-crafted sodas and shakes and tenderloins to die for).
