Downtown South Bends guide to Small Business Saturday shopping

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- From books and mugs to specialty beverages and handmade gifts, small businesses in downtown South Bend say they’re ready to help shoppers check off their Christmas lists during the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

Local business owners are urging the community to choose small shops over big-box retailers as Black Friday and Small Business Saturday approach.

“I think that shopping local, it's nice to have, like, days of the year when we really emphasize it, but we're here 365, days a year,” said Becky Reimbold, produce buyer at the Purple Porch Co-op.

Purple Porch is one of many locally owned stores preparing for the big weekend. Known for its farm-fresh produce, the co-op also carries artisan items such as handmade socks, soaps and other stocking-stuffer-friendly gifts.

Reimbold encouraged shoppers to explore what their local community has to offer.

“Really encourage people to come out whenever they can and find, find their local treasures in their neighborhood and support them,” she said.

Just down the road, Griffon Bookstore — the oldest game store in America — is also gearing up for a busy weekend. Manager Matthew Slokas says the shop will bring back a popular Black Friday tradition.

“We're going to do a modified roll your discount day on Black Friday,” Slokas said. “Customers can choose whether they want to roll two 10-sided dice and add the results together to get a percentage off, or three 6-sided dice to get a percentage off.”

Griffon carries new and used books, games and collectibles at prices that often beat major retailers. Slokas says supporting small shops keeps money in the local community.

“For those communities that don't want to rely on the Walmart's and the Amazons of the world… if you give them your money to them, that's who you're going to have to rely on. And we all know that they're not the most trustworthy places,” he said. “Whereas, when you're dealing with… small businesses, you can deal with a person, a real person.”

For those looking to gift an experience instead of a physical item, The Pigeon and The Hen pottery studio is offering discounts on hands-on crafting sessions. Co-owner Amy Klingler says this time of year is especially busy as families look for creative activities.

“So we definitely focus more on the experience rather than discounts,” Klingler said. “Although we do have some fun and special things coming up during Thanksgiving time like Thanks and Throws.”

For more pop-up holiday events, Klingler encourages locals to keep an eye on their *community calendar.

And after a long day of shopping, City Wide Liquors in downtown South Bend offers what staff call a curated retail experience.

“It's nice to be part of one of, I think, very few retail experiences in South Bend where you're kind of encouraged to be sociable and, you know, interact with other people,” said assistant manager Daniel Alderton. “And it's one of my favorite things to get to know people around, especially in the downtown neighborhood.”

Downtown South Bend’s official **small business shopping guide — featuring more than 30 local shops — is available ahead of the holiday weekend.

You can visit the Pigeon and the Hen event calendar here.

View the Shopping Guide here.