Emily Hoffman
The holiday season is just around the corner, and this year you can check your list twice and support local businesses at the same time! Our small businesses make #DowntownSac unique, colorful, and well fed! It’s also important to remember that shopping small doesn’t just happen around the holidays or one day a year – and it’s an excellent way to make a big difference for downtown’s amazing local businesses.
Shop ‘till you drop
Shopping local is an amazing way you can support downtown businesses AND show your friends and loved ones that you care with a gift that’s a little closer to the heart instead of just “clicking and shipping.”
When you shop local, you can gift experiences that can’t be boxed like mini-golfing at Flatstick Pub or a family trip to NEO Escape Rooms; gift cards and goodies from some of the best farm-to-fork restaurants around; or killer clothes from Getta Clue, The Blue Ox, or Identity Boutique. Shopping small makes a big difference and shows you care.
Some other great small businesses to support downtown include The Allspicery, where you can get the culinary-obsessed in your life a great gift, and the Good Bottle Shop next door for an out-of-the-box gift like a membership to their Wine Club or Cocktail Club.
Stores like Stage Nine Entertainment Store at the Old Sacramento Waterfront and Capital Books on K Street also planned ahead to support all of your holiday shopping needs, so before you try to “click & ship” only to realize the gift you’re looking for will be backordered for month, stop by a local business that offers the same thing!
Check out a complete listing of all the shops Downtown Sac has to offer HERE.
Work up an appetite
The great thing about shopping small in Downtown Sac, are the amazing local restaurants we have here! It’s as easy as stopping in for a quick bite to eat at a small business such as Hao Bao Dumplings, Nash & Proper, or Estelle’s Bakery & Patisserie, or sit down and enjoy a delicious meal at a great restaurant like Rio City Café, Echo & Rig Steakhouse, or Brasserie du Monde.
Check out a complete listing of all the restaurants in Downtown Sac HERE.
Make it a day!
But the fun doesn’t stop with shopping and dining, make it a day downtown! When you’re making your holiday plans, consider the wats you can support small businesses while you’re already out and about!
If you’re planning on watching a Theatre of Lights performance at the Old Sacramento Waterfront – head over early to do some shopping at great stores like Warehouse Creative, Kolores by Kulture, Visions of Eden, and G. Willikers Toy Emporium. Then grab a bite to eat before or after the show at a great Old Sacramento Waterfront restaurant. While you can’t box the feeling, it will be an experience you won’t forget!
Also, the Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink has returned to Ali Youssefi Square (at the corner of 7th & K Streets) and runs Tuesday through Sunday until January 16. The Ice Rink is a few convenient steps away from great shopping at DOCO and the Old Sacramento Waterfront, as well as several amazing shops and restaurants on K Street. Be sure to “make it a day” and get some holiday shopping done and a tasty bite to eat before or after you skate!
You can find a complete list of downtown shops, restaurants, services, and more by viewing our Downtown Directory.
Free Holiday Parking Downtown
The City of Sacramento is bringing back free holiday parking downtown happening Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day at specific metered parking zones. Free meter hours will start at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and will be all day on weekends. Meter screens will reflect when parking is free and when payment is required.
You can also find more information on getting around Downtown Sac HERE.
When you #ShopSmall on Small Business Saturday (or any day of the year) be sure to tag @DowntownSac in your experience for a chance to be featured on our social media channels, and Happy Holidays from your friends at Downtown Sac!