Shop small, shop local this holiday season
This holiday season, consider buying your gifts locally to support the shops, restaurants and businesses in the Fox Valley and DuPage County community.
Algonquin- Lake in the Hills
The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to remember to shop local this holiday season. Pledge to put your money where your home is. For a directory of local restaurants and businesses, visit www.alchamber.com or www.facebook.com/ALChamber/.
Aurora
Aurora Downtown encourages you to Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 27.
You might not realize it, but every time you pick up a cup of coffee from your favorite neighborhood cafe or buy a gift from a local artist's online store, you're shopping small and making a difference.
One way to support local businesses is to buy gift cards now for later use. Or buy gift cards as gifts, thank yous, or as random acts of kindness.
Aurora Downtown offers a list of several locations that offer gift cards that can be purchased online and delivered via email for your social distancing convenience. Visit auroradowntown.org.
Shopping small is easier than ever. Not only can shoppers visit dozens of stores, but online shopping is plentiful at both retail and resale stores in downtown Aurora.
To shop locally online, visit auroradowntown.org/shoponline/.
Batavia
When small businesses succeed, we all do.
Each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, shoppers, business owners, and organizations come together to Shop Small. Join the national movement in Batavia on Nov. 27.
While you are shopping, look for QR codes at participating businesses to cast your vote in the holiday decorating contest. Visit downtownbatavia.com.
Thank you to sponsor Batavia Enterprises.
Bartlett
On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, Arts in Bartlett, 215 S. Main St., is hosting a "Holiday Shop" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop the gallery for one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts. The artisans will be on-hand to assist while you shop.
There also will be a "Last Chance Shopping Event" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, during the Bartlett Cocoa Crawl.
Visit www.facebook.com/ArtsInBartlett/.
The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging resident to take the "Small Business Season" pledge to "Shop, Dine In, Take Out, Stop By, Support, Browse, Leave a Review for a Local Business." Visit www.facebook.com/BartlettAreaChamberIL/.
Bloomingdale
• Between Nov. 27 and Jan. 7, stop by the Bloomingdale Court Shopping Center on Army Trail Road to see the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Trees.
Take a selfie with the tree you like best, tag the business, and post on Facebook with #BCCHolidayTrees.
You tag a business on Facebook by using the # before the business' name. For example, #BloomingdaleCourt. The business will pop up and you click on them. If you cannot get the tag part to work, you can name the business.
Once a week, the chamber will pull two to three random winners who posted to #BCCHolidayTrees to win a $25 gift certificate from one of the participating businesses.
You are encouraged to post weekly. The number of winners will depend on the number of businesses participating.
• Check out the Parade of Gingerbread Houses fundraiser. Download a map at www.bloomingdalechamber.com/bloomingdale-holidays or pick one up at a participating business.
Visit each business and vote for your favorite gingerbread house by donating money into the ballot box. If the business is temporary closed for COVID-19, you can make your donation by dropping your money in an envelope into their mailbox.
Receive a stamp on your map that you have visited the business. If the business is unable to stamp your map due to COVID restrictions, you can submit a receipt dated between Nov. 27 and Dec. 31, 2021, from that business that shows you did visit them, or you can submit a selfie of yourself in front of the business.
Submit your map to the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, 104 S. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108, or email Contest@BloomingdaleChamber.com with subject line Gingerbread.
All maps must be received by Jan. 8, 2022, to be eligible for the contest. The chamber is not responsible for maps arriving late due to the post office.
The winner will be chosen by random draw on Jan. 10. No purchase is necessary.
The money collected from your votes will be presented to St. Isidore's PADS program for the homeless.
Crystal Lake
Vendors with Splendor host its fifth annual Small Business Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Northwest's Crystal Lake Convention Center, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake.
Continue your Black Friday shopping savings with more than 65 booths. There is something for everyone on your list and no shipping delays. Support your local, small businesses again this year. Admission is free.
Visit www.facebook.com/vendorswithsplendor/.
Dundee Township
The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to shop local this holiday season. Visit and support a variety of shops, spas, restaurants and more in Carpentersville, East Dundee, Gilberts, Sleepy Hollow and West Dundee.
Shop at participating businesses listed at nkccevents.com, submit your receipts to the chamber, and be entered into a drawing to win one of several gift cards to area businesses.
You could win gift cards from $10 to $100, with more than 50 chances to win.
All receipts must be received no later than Dec. 3. The drawing will be held on Dec. 6, and winners will be notified. Receive an extra chance for every receipt, but there is only one prize per person.
Visit www.nkcchamber.com or www.facebook.com/NorthernKaneChamber/.
Elgin
The Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce encourages local residents to participate in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27.
For every $100 spent, $68 stays in your community when you shop local. To find a map of local businesses in South Elgin and Elgin, visit www.elginchamber.com/small-business-saturday
Elmhurst
The best part about Thanksgiving weekend, apart from pumpkin pie, is Small Business Saturday.
Stop by Holiday Small Business Pop-up at the Craft Elmhurst location, in collaboration with RGL Marketing for the Arts, from 9 a.m. to noon at Brewpoint Coffee, 617 N. York St.
Not only can you enjoy some of the new Brewpoint holiday drinks, but you can support other small businesses during the holiday pop-up.
Vendors include: Shop Empathic; Made by Q; KT Designs Studio; Eclectic ReDesigns; Farr + Swit; Inola Jewelry; Jewelry by Venus; Jewelsies; Blue Violet Candles; and Alta Textiles.
On Saturday and Sunday, Brewpoint Coffee Holiday is hosting a product launch with winter seasonal drinks, holiday blend, and holiday gift boxes. As with every seasonal drink launch, the business is offering 25% off holiday drinks.
Visit www.facebook.com/brewpointcraftelmhurst/
Geneva
Support local businesses in Geneva on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27. It offers more than 150 independent retailers, restaurants and establishments in its historic downtown. With the holiday season approaching, there is no better place to shop than Geneva. Many merchants will be offering deals and specials throughout the day. Learn more at geneva.il.us.
Glen Ellyn
The Glen Ellyn Chamber Member Gift Checks are perfect for the holidays. For every dollar spent at a small business, about 67 cents stays in the local community. Celebrate the holidays by shopping at local retailers and eating from local restaurants. Chamber hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
To pre-order your gift checks, provide the quantity amount, payment method (cash or check) and phone number. Call (630) 469-0907 with your order. Gift Checks come in the following denominations $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $50.
Glen Ellyn Chamber Gift Checks are perfect for the holidays for those who live, work and volunteer in our community.
A list of chamber member businesses comes with each Gift Check. Gift Checks expire six months from date of issue. There is a $1 per check charge, however there is no charge for paying with cash or a personal check. Gift Checks are not redeemable for cash or a cash balance, and they must be picked up and paid for in person.
Visit www.glenellynchamber.com/giftchecks.
Huntley
Pick up a gift, goody or gift card from your favorite restaurant, salon, store or service business. When shopping for essentials, grab a few extra items for a friend in need. Shop "Huntley for the Holidays." Visit Shop Huntley at www.huntleyfirst.com for an online business directory.
Lombard
Shop local on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, and tag your pictures #LombardChamber on Instagram or Twitter to be entered to win a gift card. Visit www.facebook.com/LombardChamber/.
North Aurora
Support local, small businesses by "Shopping Small" on Saturday, Nov. 27, at Past and Present Shoppes, 22 E. State St. Stop in for raffles, sales, treats, one-of-a-kind finds, new merchandise and more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.facebook.com/pastandpresentshoppes9635/.
Roselle
It is estimated that for every $100 spent at a locally-owned business, $73 remains in the local economy. Compare that to the same $100 spent at a non-locally owned business, where only $43 remains in the local economy. Help support small businesses in Roselle this holiday season, and beyond. Visit www.roselle.il.us.
St. Charles
On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, think St. Charles for all your purchases and support local businesses. If you can't visit a shop in person, consider ordering online or purchasing a gift card.
The St. Charles Chamber of Commerce offers gift cards in various amounts that can be used at several participating businesses in St. Charles. Online you can purchase gift cards at values of $10, $25, $50, $75, and $100 at stcharleschamber.com/giftcards/.
If you would like a different customized amount between $5-$1,000, call the chamber at (630) 584-8384.
You will have the option to pick up the card from the chamber office, or they can mail it to your address within two business days.