Community Corner

Local Stores Appeal to Customers on Small Business Saturday

Worn out after Thanksgiving and Black Friday? Browse local shops on Small Business Saturday.

Some Somerset Hills and Warren area businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday, but even many of those shops not officially part of the American Express campaign will be open for holiday shopping.

The Toy Store in Bernardsville at 80 Bernardsville Road, is offering a Small Business Saturday promotion of offering a $10 gift certificate for January for any customer who spends at least $100, said Meagan Faraher, the store's owner.

Apogee in downtown Basking Ridge are holding a pre-holiday sale on Friday and beyond. The shop also is participating in Small Business Saturday.

Warrenville Paint and Hardware,at 61A Mountain Boulevard in Warren Township, independently owned since 1977, also is participating in the Small Business Saturday promotion. The store is an independent channel that provides brands and products unavailable through large retailers, according to its Independent Channel information on the store's website.

There also is a Shop Small Business Saturday vendor event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Somerville Elks Lodge, 375 Union Ave., Bridgewater. Admission and parking are free.

Although the Bernards Township Area Chamber of Commerce has no connection with American Express, various Chamber members are a part of the event through that credit card company, said Al LiCata, executive director of chamber. He noted that Tons of Toys in Bernardsville is involved in the program.

"As far as small business Saturday, Black Friday and Holiday Shopping goes, The Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce kindly encourages people to support our chamber members as they work year round to support the communities they operate within," LiCata said.

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Evan Tornquist, the chairman of the Warren Township Chamber of Commerce, just established in September, said that promoting shopping at local businesses and restaurants is a major focus on the new chamber.

All of the local chambers said they have events planned for December.

Holly Days in Bernardsville

The Bernardsville Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its annual "Holly Days" event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at Olcott Square with carols singing, Santa arriving by firetruck at 4:30 p.m., and a tree lighting followed by a walk to the Bernardsville Public Library to hear Eileen Loughnane read The Night Before Christmas.

Refreshments will be served, there will be a free holiday giveaway drawing after the library reading.  

Local merchants who will provide gift cards, gifts or special discounts. Free tickets for the drawing will be given out at participating merchants. 

Barbara Long, president of the Bernards Township area chamber, said that the chamber again will host a holiday parade in December.

Find out what's happening in Bernardsville-Bedminsterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Warren chamber to revive Holiday Walk 

The new Warren Township Chamber of Commerce is bringing back the Holiday Walk to the center of Warren Township from 2 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Brian LeBoeuf, owner of Sports Minded Unlimited in Warren Township, said he will arrange for Santa to appear at a parade at 2 p.m. starting from in front of Walgreen's at the Pheasant Run Shopping Center off Washington Valley Road. 

 


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