I don’t know about you, but one of the big selling points for me in giving up big-city living and moving the ‘burbs was Maplewood Village.
I was won over by the charm of its winding streets and mom-and-pop shops nestled neatly around an historic train station and within walking distance of schools, homes and parks.
The same can be said for many more living in Maplewood, Millburn and South Orange. We revel in the fact that we live in pre-war, pre-automotive suburbs built on a human scale — rather than in towns without sidewalks and bisected by screaming highways cluttered with big box and chain retailers.
Maintaining our villages’ charm isn’t always easy. Our mom-and-pop retailers work hard to provide the extra customer service, convenience and quality merchandise to best those big box stores — but it’s a tough slog. We reward them with our purchasing dollars throughout the year, but Saturday, November 29, is the big day to make a difference with our pocketbooks and support our local retailers on Small Business Saturday.
Local merchants and businesses are making it worth our while with tons of specials. Check them out, and remember to #shopsmall this Saturday:
Elf on the Shelf/Downtown Millburn
On Small Business Saturday, Downtown Millburn will have a special visitor in town: The Elf on the Shelf. He will be hiding around town in local stores and restaurants. Locate the Elf and to be ENTERED to win one of the many pairs of tickets being giving away to The Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Elf. In addition, parking in Downtown Millburn lots is FREE for the holiday shopping season. Learn more about the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Elf here.
Shop Small Saturday in Maplewood Village
In Maplewood Village, many local businesses are adding their own special twist to the day. Below is a list of Village merchants who are adding something special to the holiday shopping experience on Small Business Saturday.
| Business | Small Business Saturday Promotion* |
| Acting With Emily | Small business Saturday SAVE 25% on all Acting With Emily and Music Together winter classes! |
| Anthony Garubo Salon & Day Spa | Stop by to enjoy our holiday special of the week |
| Alchemy Hour | 40% off sale and a gift with purchase over $150 |
| Arturo’s Osteria & Pizzeria | Stop for a taste of local cider and apples |
| Bee & Thistle | Refreshments and a free gift for total purchase over $50 |
| Coda Kitchen & Bar | 10% of sales will be donated to MikeyStrong 23 fundraising for a young boy who was paralyzed playing youth hockey |
| Gen Wealth | Winter Coat Drive |
| Geralyn’s Art Studio | Annual Art Pop-up Store will be open each weekend in December. Charity food drive for Food Pantry. Canned goods only |
| Hopscotch at Home | Buy 1 flannel pant get 2nd at 20% OFF Buy 1 knit hat get 2nd at 20% OFF |
| Jerry Rose Floral Design | 10% off the store excluding flowers and events |
| KoKoRo | TBA |
| Lotus Petals Floral Design | TBA |
| Maplewood Deli & Grille | All specials only $10 Saturday and Sunday |
| Maplewood Stationers | Toy drive for Children’s Specialized Hospital |
| Matters Magazine | n/a |
| No 165 | Free tote with purchase while supplies last; Enter to win a chance to win a $250 Gift Certificate |
| Perch Home | Shop small totes, Free Wine charms with purchase, $25 gift card give away, Enter to Win a Nest holiday candle. |
| Salvage Style | Salvage Style at 101 Baker St. will be busting out the bubbly, so come sip while you shop. |
| Scrivener’s Toys & Collectibles | For every $50 you spend receive a free holiday gift |
| Shed | TBA |
| Staynd Color (Chelsea Set) | $25 blowouts or makeover for your holiday parties, refreshments |
| The Able Baker | Refreshments |
| The Tenth Muse Gallery | Amex promotion for registered cardholders plus a Trunk Show featuring Elina Bromberg Fine Jewelry/Jamie Kole Friday Nov 28 & Sat 11/29 – With Special Trunk Show Pricing |
Win $500 by Shopping Small in South Orange
To encourage more local spending, the South Orange Village Center Alliance has organized a contest whereby local shoppers can be entered to win $500 in South Orange gift cards simply by spending their dollars in the Village Center. On Saturday November 29, shoppers who spend $25 or more at a South Orange merchant and then bring their receipts to the Alliance tent on Sloan Street will be entered to win $500 in gift cards from top South Orange merchants. Shoppers get one entry for every $25 spent — so the more you spend, the more chances to win. Visit the South Orange Village Center Alliance website for more information: www.sovillagecenter.org.
Visitors to Springfield Avenue in Maplewood on November 29 can enjoy “Shop Small Saturday” specials including free cupcakes and other desserts, reduced-price Zumba wear, and discounts like a month of unlimited kickboxing classes for $99 (normally $139). It’s all organized by the Springfield Avenue Partnership, giving local residents another great reason to support local merchants on Springfield Avenue. See the full list of participating merchants here.
*NOTE: These offers are separate from and not associated with the American Express Small Biz Saturday offer, and are not dependent upon Amex Card purchases. The Maplewood Village Alliance and individual merchants are not responsible for the Amex credit offer. To receive the Amex offer, your cards MUST be pre-registered with American Express and businesses must also be registered: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/Shop-Small/
** All offers subject to change and availability.
