ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The holiday shopping season has officially kicked off with Black Friday. But big box stores and online retailers aren’t the only places offering deals and specials.
Small businesses in the Rochester area are getting together to host pop-up markets and special events this weekend. It’s part of Small Business Saturday. News10NBC has your guide:
Shop Small Monroe (Saturday)
Small businesses on Monroe Avenue are coming together to host a holiday bazaar, demonstrations, and food tastings on Saturday. “Shop Small Monroe” runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day begins with a community clean-up from 10 to 11 a.m. at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Meigs Street and Monroe Avenue and Rosedale Street. Then, the holiday bazaar runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local artists selling and a chance to take photos with the Grinch. There will also be self-defense demos by Aikido Kokikai of Rochester.
The Taste of Monroe sampling event runs from noon to 2 p.m. Local favorites such as O’Callaghans, Aladdins, MIBA, and Create A Pizza will be there. There will also be warm drinks and treats from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as part of the Treats & Hot Cocoa Crawl. Other events include pop-up giveaways, prizes, and a meeting with local first responders at the Monroe Avenue Firehouse.
Autographs with Erie Clement (Saturday)
After an outstanding performance in this year’s World Series, Toronto Blue Jays infielder and Brighton native Ernie Clement will come to the Rochester Red Wings team store.
Fans can meet Clement and get a free autograph from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday. The team store will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Small Business Saturday. Red Wings mascots Spikes and Mittsy will also make an appearance before and after Clement.
Clement set a Major League Baseball record with 30 hits in a single postseason. He also recorded 10 multi-hit games, another baseball record. You can see News10NBC’s interviews with Clement here.
Holidays at the Market (starts Sunday)
Holidays at the Market kicks off on Sunday. The Rochester Public Market will be full of holiday gifts and activities for three straight Sundays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14 and one Thursday night, Dec. 18.
Shoppers can find fresh-cut Christmas trees, wreaths, handcrafted items, speciality foods and drinks, clothing, jewellery, and other items. There will also be visits with Santa in the market’s indoor “B” shed from 9 a.m. to noon on all three Sundays. Santa will also be there from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Thursday market. Guests can also enjoy carriage rides from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the three Sundays and 6 to 9 p.m. on the Thursday market.
Holidays at the Market runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays and 6 to 9 p.m. on the special Thursday market. You can learn more here.
