Cha-ching, cha-ching: Shopping ‘season’ begins
Now that we’re full from a hearty Thanksgiving meal, shoppers turn their attention to Black Friday deals and Small Business Saturday savings.
Residents in Cape Coral can hit the usual suspects for Black Friday deals, then help out the local economy by “shopping small” at one of the countless small businesses in the Cape on Small Business Saturday.
One event in the Cape that celebrates small businesses is the South Cape Hospitality & Entertainment Association’s Sidewalk Sale — and this year, they’re adding a chalk art festival.
The fifth annual event brings together local small businesses for residents to get a better look at what they have to offer. The sale runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at participating locations.
“Small Business Saturday is a nationwide movement that celebrates small businesses,” said city of Cape Coral spokesperson Maureen Buice. “This event is focuses on helping communities thrive. The goal of Small Business Saturday is to remind consumers that they play a key role in helping the small businesses in their community and encourage them to get out and shop and dine at Cape Coral businesses.”
Live chalk art will be happening at five locations, featuring some of the area’s best artists.
These artists will be beginning to create 3-D works that really pop out of the sidewalk. Artists will be creating before the event officially begins so that attendees can get a good look at their skills before during and after the event.
Participating businesses in the Sidewalk Sale include but are not limited to: Auto Sound Cape Coral, BackStreets Sports Bar, Bobbie Delaurier Organics, Dog Days Delight, Extend & Mend, Family Traditions, Flip Flops Consignment Shop, Healing CBD Products, Inc., John Michael’s Fine Jewelry & Diamond Studio, Lee County Laundromat, Modern Mama Nails, New Beginning Bodywork & Wellness Studio, No. 3 Craft Brews & Beer Bar, Pawty Depot, Perk & Brew, Shear Art Studio, Snook Hut Bait & Tackle, Steppin’ On Up Boutique, SU CASA “a furniture boutique,” SWFL Military Museum & Library, The Pirate Merchant, The Run Shoppe, The Waite Agency, Tiki Hut at Dolphin Key Resort, Waterside Wine of SWLF and Zak’s Jewelry.
Attendees can watch live chalk art at BackStreets Sports Bar, Big Storm Brewing, John Michael’s Fine Jewelry & Diamond Studio, No 3 Craft Brews, Tiki Hut and Zak’s Jewelry.
Find a passport at one of the artist-sponsored locations, get it stamped at 12 locations and be entered to win a “trinket” from one of the Cape’s small businesses.
“It’s really important that people understand what small businesses do for the community,” said Alison Polo, vice president of Zak’s Jewelry and SCHEA board member. “Small Business Saturday shines a light on small businesses that do so much for the community year-round, and that’s what we want to do in the South Cape.”
Polo said SCHEA is hoping to grow the Sidewalk Sale, and possibly hold a similar event for small businesses in the Cape at other times of the year.
SCHEA also is hosting a Black Friday Pajama Party Pub Crawl from 7 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 29.
Take a trolley to 12 hospitality establishments to sample a drink and appetizer special. Dress up in your favorite set of PJs and win prizes at the official photo booth. Don’t forget about trolley trivia and passport — more chances to win prizes.
For more information about the Sidewalk Sale and tickets to the Black Friday Pub Crawl, see SouthCapeEntertainment.com .
Those who like to get a quick start on the savings can head out to a myriad of locations in Cape Coral that are holding Black Friday Deals.
Bealls got a head start on their Black Friday savings, with 50-70% off store-wide (select brands not applicable) savings since last Sunday. Their Black Friday deals run until this Saturday.
For every $50 spent at Bealls on Black Friday, shoppers will get $15 in Bealls Bucks.
“We have some brand exceptions, but a good portion of the store will see the 50-70 percent savings,” said Tim Lynch, Bealls store manager in Cape Coral.
Bealls has a location in the Coralwood Shopping Center at 2301 Del Prado Boulevard S. as well as one in North Fort Myers at 3071 Pine Island Road.
There also is a Bealls Outlet in Coralwood.
FOS Furniture on Del Prado Boulevard is the place to find Black Friday savings on a new couch, bed, kitchen set, T.V. stands and more.
“We prepare months in advance for this,” said FOS Furniture owner Pat Corlew. “We have blowout items, good inventory and lots of sales.”
FOS shoppers can enjoy 10% off or more on all sofas, 10% off bedroom furniture, 20% off wall art or paintings, 15% off all T.V. consoles, 15% off all lamps, 15% off all mattress sets — including a national promotion with Serta.
“Ninety-nine percent of our inventory is marked down,” Corlew said.
FOS will be open at 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Black Friday.
FOS Furniture is at 790 N. Del Prado Blvd.
Belk also is reporting Black Friday deals, as select merchandise will be discounted as part of the “holiday.”
Belk is at The Shops at Surfside at 2342 Surfside Blvd.
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