For the last decade, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally as Small Business Saturday — a day dedicated to supporting small businesses. The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce (WGACC) has embraced the effort and is partnering with more than 30 local businesses in Watkins Glen, Montour Falls, and the Finger Lakes area for this Saturday’s event, on Nov. 28, to ensure local dollars stay in our community.
Participating businesses are offering discounts and giveaways throughout the day. Small-town shopping is especially popular at holiday time, as quaint streetscapes and unique shops are celebrated in today’s popular holiday TV shows. In fact, the 165-foot waterfall and historic buildings of Montour Falls are featured in a Hallmark Channel series. Visitors are encouraged to take photos at the falls, where the Chamber will be placing an old-fashioned red truck — recreating Hallmark’s symbolic holiday art — for another photo op.
Small Business Saturday is a national effort organized by American Express, which has invited WGACC to take part as a Neighborhood Champion. This season’s message of “Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is” conveys the importance of shopping local, whereas every $100 spent at a small business results in $68 being returned to the local economy.
“As your Neighborhood Champion, the Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce is here to help the community, as well as out-of-town visitors, experience our holiday shopping season,” said Michael Hardy, WGACC executive director. “Small Business Saturday helps remind us how vital small businesses are to our region and to each of us personally all year round. When we shop locally, we are sustaining jobs while experiencing and celebrating our community.”
Masks and social distancing are, of course, encouraged along the sidewalks and inside the shops and wineries.
Pop-Up Shops at the Visitor Center
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 214 North Franklin St. in downtown Watkins Glen will be open the day of the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., hosting pop-up vendors and coloring for kids. The center will serve as a welcome station for shoppers, offering masks and hand sanitizer plus a shopping passport that details the participating businesses and their promotions. The passport can be used throughout the Chamber’s 26 Days of Shopping Small, which continues from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24.
Scott and Ally from WINK 106 will be broadcasting from the Visitor Center on Saturday, encouraging their listeners and neighbors to shop local this holiday season, while also interviewing small-business owners.
Pop-Up Shops at the Visitor Center include:
- Bartlett Family Farm: Take home locally made maple syrup and maple sugar
- Dragonfly Soul Craft: Purchase handmade soaps 5 for $15
- The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor: Selling cookies, pies, and seasonal ice cream
- International Motor Racing Research Center: Get a free 2021 calendar with the purchase of any membership
- Hawk Meadow Farm: Selling mushroom products
Business Deals and Discounts
These businesses are offering special deals and discounts on Saturday, Nov. 28 for Small Business Saturday:
Watkins Glen
Castel Grisch Winery: 10 percent off 3 bottles; 15 percent off 6 bottles; 20 percent off 12 bottles, plus $10 gift card for every $100 you spend (valid for use in 2021).
3380 County Road 28, Watkins Glen
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Distressed by Me Designs: 10 percent off entire purchase, plus free lip balm with purchase
108 W. 4th St., Watkins Glen
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Famous Brands: 6-Liter Camelback Water Bottle for just $4.99
412 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Franklin Street Gallery: With every purchase, receive a free gift handmade by participants of day programs at Arc Chemung-Schuyler
209 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
Noon to 5 p.m.
Inner Peace Floats: Get 3 float gift certificates for $99
111 W. 4th St., Watkins Glen
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Rasa Spa: Free Rasa aromatherapy roll-on with any purchase of $100 or more
210 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wags to Riches: 20 percent off everything
313 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watkins Glen Golf Course: Gift certificate discounts: $65 certificate for $50 and $125 for $100
3401 State Route 14, Watkins Glen
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Watkins Glen Promotions/Village Memorabilia: Select shirts are $10
211 N. Franklin St., Watkin Glen
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Montour Falls
Paradiso’s Village Bakery: Serving lunch, breakfast, and dinner before, during, or after shopping
224 W. Main St., Montour Falls
6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Photo Ops: Shequaga Falls and a “Hallmark” red truck with Christmas tree
Pose in front of the 165-foot waterfall featured at the start of Hallmark Channel series “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries,” plus take photos next to an old-fashioned “Hallmark” red truck with a tree in the back.
109 S. Genesee St., Montour Falls
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Schuyler County Historical Society: 10 percent off all items in the gift shop
108 N. Catherine St., Montour Falls
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Along Seneca Lake
Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards: Buy 2, Get 1 on select wines
9782 State Route 414, Valois
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Glenora Wine Cellars: Purchase a tasting and receive a $5 coupon toward a $35 purchase
5435 State Route 14, Dundee
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards: Purchase a wine/cider flight and get 20 percent off gift-shop coupon
5712 State Route 414, Hector
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Miles Wine Cellar: $5 off Caché Sparkling Riesling
168 Randall Crossing, Himrod
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rasta Ranch Vineyards: BOGO tasting flights — buy one flight, get one flight free
5882 State Route 414, Hector
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Scale House Brewery: 15 percent of all food, beverage, and merchandise
5930 State Route 414, Hector
Noon to 8 p.m.
Veraisons Restaurant: 10 percent off a bottle of wine
5435 State Route 14, Dundee
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (closed 11 a.m. to Noon)
Nearby in the Finger Lakes
Pompous Ass Winery: A free wine tote and 15 percent off 3 or more bottles
4499 State Route 12, Rock Stream
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Selah Yoga & Music: Purchase a gift certificate and receive a free class for yourself
4485 State Rt. 79, Burdett
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunset View Creamery: Gift baskets ordered or picked up on Nov. 28 are 10 percent off
4970 County Road 14, Odessa
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Windmill Farm and Craft Market: Discounts and door prizes
3900 State Route 14A, Penn Yan
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weis Vineyards: 10 percent off wine purchases and free tasting with purchase of 4 bottles
19914 Day Road, Hammondsport
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WMF Designs: 25 percent off any item storewide
3687 Main St., Burdett
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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