Ballard is keeping it local over this holiday weekend starting on Black Friday (Nov. 28) with Ballard Gives Black Friday. The festivities continue through Saturday with Shop Local Saturday and an afternoon filled with holiday events at Marvin's Garden Park.


Over 20 Ballard businesses are participating in Ballard Gives Black Friday the day after Thanksgiving. Instead of deal-crazed consumers camping out in front of Ballard stores before 6 a.m., customers can pay it forward with BGBF. Shop at any one of the participating Ballard businesses and a portion of what shoppers spend go to a local non-profit. Some businesses are continuing the holiday cheer through Sunday.

Ryan and Lanne Stauffer, owners of Market Street Shoes, spearheaded BGBF a couple years ago and since then it has gained momentum.

“We started a few years ago to move away from the big box, big discount mindset and to think about ways for people to give their shopping dollars depth and power. For us it made sense for us to give back to a non-profit instead of discounts,” said Ryan Stauffer.

According to a 2008 Michigan based report by Civic Economics, $68 of $100 spent locally stays in the community, compared to $43 staying in the community when buying at non-local based shops.

Stauffer said BGBF is an extra incentive for shoppers to spend locally because they know the proceeds are not only staying in the community but going straight to non-profits and charities in the community that need it most over the holiday season -- instead of going to corporate profits.

“Consumers have become relatively conditioned to looked at Black Friday as the start of the holiday shopping season, and as we start in the giving direction by supporting the community rather than discounts for shoppers, hopefully that becomes more of the traditional start for the holidays. … The immediate neighborhood will truly reap the benefits of a big shopping weekend. “

In addition to BGBF, the Ballard Holiday Festival at Marvin's Garden Park will kick off on Saturday with events starting at noon with cookie decorating. Santa will arrive at 2 p.m. and pictures will go on until 6 pm. Duck rides will also start at 2 p.m. The Holiday Jazz Trio will begin at 3 p.m., and the Tree lighting ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Live music will continue the cheer into the evening.


Also occurring on Saturday, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Calvin Goings, will be visiting small businesses in Ballard on (November 29) in celebration of Small Business Saturday. Mike Stewart Executive Director of the Ballard Chamber of Commerce will join Goings at MudBay Inc. (5314 15th Ave NW) at 12:45 p.m.

All events are in support of consumers buying locally and keeping communities strong and vital. Reports show that the money spent at local small businesses goes right back into the local economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, consumers who are aware of Small Business Saturday spent an estimated $5.7 billion with independent merchants in the past year.

“I think our local business community is tight-knit and engaged. We meet monthly to brainstorm ideas for the neighborhood core and improve the shopping and dining experience for people in the neighborhood and visitor experience, and I think as we move foreword Ballard Gives Black will continue to grow. We continually add more businesses to the group as we go. This Saturday is another example of that. We are seeing our community come together over the holidays,” said Stauffer.

Participating merchants, and nonprofits (current as of 11/20).



All the Best Pet Care | Motley Zoo
Anima
Mundi | Soulumination

Annie's Art & Frame | Ballard Food Bank

Ballard Beer Company | St. Alphonsus School

Ballard Reuse | Seattle ReCreative

Camelion Design | Conor Gregory Foundation

Clover | Childhaven

Fair Trade Winds | Ballard Food Bank

His Word Found Here | Seattle Urban 

Horseshoe | Northwest Harvest

Kick It Boots | New Moon Farm Goat Rescue

La Corza | Ballard Food Bank

Market Street Shoes | Labateyah Youth Home

re-souL | Skate Like a Girl

Romanza | Heroes for the Homeless

Secret Garden | Page Ahead Children's Literacy

Sip and Ship | The Cure Starts Now

Sonic Boom | The Vera Project

Sticks and Stones Seattle |Help Chiapas

Sweet Mickey's | Ballard Boys and Girls Club

Venue | Methow Valley Long Term Recovery


For more information visit: http://ballardchamber.com/ballardgivesblack