Small Business Saturday Will Be Crucial For Anne Arundel County Establishments

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County officials urged residents to shop local on Small Business Saturday, which is on Nov. 27. American Express started the unofficial holiday in 2010. Americans spent about $20 billion during the 2020 event, but this year could be equally important for establishments still recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

About 56 percent of small businesses agreed that this year’s Small Business Saturday is more critical than ever, an American Express survey found. Around three-quarters said holiday sales will affect their ability to stay open in 2022.

Customers seem ready to help, as 80 percent are likely to shop small over the next month. That could contribute $695 billion to the nation's small business economy.

Downtown Annapolis Shopping

Annapolis leaders are optimistic that the community will support their neighborhood favorites.

"Downtown Annapolis businesses are upbeat about seeing people returning to shop at [their] 80 stores and 90 restaurants," stated Erik Evans, executive director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and the Annapolis Arts District. "Visitors enjoy the shopping experience downtown where you can get plenty of fresh air in a historic setting."

Consumers can also take part in Small Business Saturday by shopping online. Locals can buy merchandise from Annapolis retailers or purchase restaurant gift cards at this link.

The city will follow Small Business Saturday with Artist Sunday, which is in its second year. Evans suggested celebrating by shopping local arts and crafts, snagging tickets to a perfromance and browsing a gallery or a bookstore.

"Annapolis is lucky to be filled with so many locally owned businesses and a diverse arts community," Evans added in a press release. "This is one of the many reasons people enjoy living in and visiting Annapolis."

Free Downtown Parking

Annapolis is offering several free parking options to encourage Marylanders to shop downtown this season. Guests can get:

• Three Hours Free At Meters (Nov. 29 through Dec. 31): The first three hours are free. Drivers can get a fouth hour free by using the code "ParkDTA" on the ParkMobile application.
• Free Weeknight Parking (Year-Round): The Calvert Street Garage, located at 19 St. John’s Street, is free all year on Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The Whitmore Garage at 25 Clay Street will be free during the Midnight Madness shopping events on Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Free Weekend Parking (Year-Round): The Calvert Street Garage is also free on weekends. The Whitmore Garage is free Sundays until 4 p.m.
• Park, Shop & Dine Validations (Year-Round): About 30 downtown businesses have free parking all year through the Park Shop & Dine inititive. Customers of these establishments can ask for a four-hour parking validation for the Gott’s Court, Hillman, Knighton and Park Place garages.

City residents are also eligible for two hours of free parking in the Gott’s Court, Hillman, Knighton and Park Place garages. Annapolitans can redeem this perk by visiting the offices in those garages or stopping by the city's parking headquarters at 60 West Street, Suite 106.

Annapolis Town Center Event

A few miles from downtown, Parole has its own festivities planned for Small Business Saturday. The Annapolis Town Center will host a Holiday Stroll from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vintage Views Bar will sell cocktails, a DJ will spin all the hits and tennants will have sales. There will also be a Toys for Tots drive.

The Town Center will additionally have a shopping spree giveway. Visitors can enter at the registration table next to Smyth Jewelers.

More information is posted here.

Anne Arundel County Contest

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation planned a contest to promote shopping locally. The organization is giving away two $25 Visa gift cards each week from Saturday until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

Resident can enter by liking this post and the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation on Facebook. Particpants must also comment on that post, tag the business(es) they patronized and use these hashtags:

• #shopsmallarundelbiz2021
• #smallbusinesseveryday
• #skippingtheshipping

Community members can enter once per week, so they have four chances to be one of the eight randomly-selected winners.

Anne Arundel County residents can find participating retailers with this search tool.

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Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.