Downtown Santa Barbara Presents Small Business Saturday, November 24

Downtown Santa Barbara, as a Neighborhood Champion, has hosted Small Business Saturday in support of local businesses for the past five years. This year, Small Business Saturday 2018 is sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust, the City of Santa Barbara and the City’s Parks & Recreation department, and plans for this popular shopping day encourage even more participation.

“We’re going big this year,” says DSB Business Manager, Erik Krueger. “We want our downtown businesses to participate in as many ways as possible.”

On Saturday, November 24th, Downtown Santa Barbara is taking over Storke Placita (700 State, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm) with tented tables representing each downtown block, along with side streets. “We’re asking businesses to fill their block’s table,” says Krueger. “Stores, restaurants, galleries, all businesses are encouraged to supply any kind of marketing collateral they have – coupons, mini-menus, brochures, fliers, 2-for-1 offers – to display on the tables.” Along with marketing pieces, businesses are invited to send over a staff member to chat with downtown visitors.

Small Business Saturday shoppers will find games to enhance their downtown experience, including Cornhole, Downtown Trivia and DSBingo, along with Spin the Wheel to win prizes, all donated by businesses.

Also new this year for downtown restaurants’ participation: “Sampling State.” At 11:00 am, restaurateurs are encouraged to step outside with samples of their fare, to give shoppers an opportunity to taste treats they’ve yet to try. “Our goal with Sampling State is that restaurant doors will swing open at the same time, offering small bites from their great menus,” says Kreuger.

To put shoppers/samplers in the holiday mood, Holiday Horns performs tunes of the season on Marshalls’ Patio (900 State Street, noon to 2:00 pm). Shoppers will also find a free giftwrapping station there, with tips gratefully accepted and donated to People’s Self-Help Housing (noon to 3:00 pm).

“This holiday more than ever, we’re inviting Santa Barbara residents downtown to support all our great local businesses, win a prize or two, enjoy some music and some tastings,” says Kate Schwab, DSB Marketing & Communications Director. “It’s a fabulous way to kick off the 2018 Holiday shopping season!”

For more info, click here. For Small Business Saturday business participation, contact Erik Krueger (Erik@DowntownSB.org, 805-962-2098, ext 800).