Sidetrack Bookshop, located at 325 S. Washington Ave. in Royal Oak, is one of about 30 downtown retailers scheduled to participate in the district’s Small Business Saturday activities on Nov. 25 (Downtown Royal Oak DDA Photo)
Downtown Royal Oak is kicking off a series of different holiday events this month, starting with Small Business Saturday.
Downtown Manager Daniel Hill said about 30 retailers will be participating in small business activities on Saturday, Nov. 25.
“This is the unofficial beginning of the holiday season downtown,” he said. “This year we want to make things a little more simple for our visitors.”
Shoppers will be able to access these services at participating retailers rather than at the central shopping passport and free beverage locations downtown.
Earn Shopping Stamps to fill your Shopping Passport when you spend $25 or more at any four participating retailers.
Once the passport is filled out, shoppers will be able to enter a $2,500 Downtown Dollars eGift giveaway in a drawing scheduled for December 1 via Facebook Live @DowntownRoyal Oak.
Downtown visitors can get one stamp on their Shopping Passport and be entitled to a free select beverage from participating cafes and coffee shops.
Those who spend at least $10 can choose one of three downtown gift items.
“For the first time this year, we will be offering illuminated Royal Oak holiday ornaments, as well as gloves and beanie hats with high-tech touches,” Hill said.
What’s also different about this year’s Small Business Saturday is that shoppers who shop at any of the participating retailers will receive free garage parking at one of the city’s four downtown parking decks.
Hill said shoppers should ask retailers if they can purchase items for free at checkout. If you wish to use free parking, you must retain your parking ticket in the parking lot. When leaving the parking garage, insert the confirmation ticket and then the parking session ticket.
Many retailers are planning to offer products at discounted prices.
More information about Small Business Saturday is available online at Downtownroyaloak.org.
More downtown events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Hill said he will also be “working with other community leaders” during the holidays. “The city’s tree lighting ceremony will be held at the Farmers Market on November 30th, and we have many other events planned for the future.”
There will be a cookie crawl downtown on Dec. 2, and Jolly Days events will be held on Fridays throughout December.
“Santa will be in town and you’ll be able to ride the carriage for free,” Hill said, adding that more details will be announced at a later date.