Seven local businesses teamed up to encourage people to “shop local” in West Acton Village on Pink Friday, which was celebrated on Nov. 22, 2024.
Launched in 2020, Pink Friday is a nationwide event created to celebrate and support small and local businesses. Pink Friday takes place every year on the Friday before Black Friday, encouraging shoppers to prioritize small businesses as they kick off their holiday shopping.
Participating West Acton stores included:
- E. Drumm Designs
- Eve & Murray’s Farm to Home
- HOME: Decor, Furniture, and Gifts
- Smudge Ink
- The Bee’s Knees British Imports
- The Silver Unicorn Bookstore
- Wish Boutique
While people are welcome to shop anytime, the West Acton shops provided babysitting services at Danny’s Place on Pink Friday. For just $25 per child, kids could enjoy art projects, games, activities, and even movie time while their parents shopped.
Paul A. Swydan, the owner of The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, said, “We know that people always want to get a jump on holiday shopping, and in recent years, Amazon and large, big-box stores have tried to encourage people to shop with them early. So Pink Friday is just our way of acknowledging that people want to get out and shop early, but hopefully with local and independent shops such as those in our West Acton Village who are participating. And we’re optimistic that the value add of babysitting at Danny’s Place helps seal the deal. Amazon will never offer you babysitting services.”
If you couldn’t celebrate Pink Friday in West Acton Village, then it isn’t too late to support small businesses this holiday season.
In fact, the Town of Acton Economic Development Office has just launched Shop Small Acton, a campaign that starts on Nov. 23, 2024, and runs through Jan. 15, 2025.
Many stores in town are participating in Shop Small Acton, including:
- Acton Ace Hardware at 210 Main Street, Acton, is participating.
- ActonArt Drawing School at 69 Great Rd, Acton, is offering a free basic art kit with NEW Winter trimester registration that mentions this promotion.
- Acton Coffee House at 525 Massachusetts Ave, Acton, is promoting 15% of non-food or drink merchandise from Dec. 7, 2024, to Jan.1, 2025.
- Acton Convenienceat 465 Great Rd., Acton, is participating.
- Alchemy Yoga at 138 Main Street, Acton, is offering a 10% Discount on Class Packages.
- Birch Tree Esthetics at 525 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, is offering 10% off gift certificates.
- Circle Furniture at 425 Great Rd., Acton, is having a Home for the Holidays Sale from Nov. 23 to Dec. 9, and a Black Friday Sale from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2, 2024.
- Eve & Murray’s Farm to Home at 525 Massachusetts Ave. Ste. B, Acton, is participating.
- Great Road Vintage at 469 Great Road, Acton, is offering 20% off most items in the shop priced over $21.00 on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Harris Hearth Breads is offering a promotion on Naturally Leavened Christmas Panettone.
- Katie Pyne Photography at 282 Central St., Acton, is offering 10% off if you purchase a photo session for 2025 during this year’s holiday season.
- King’s Ink at 134 Main St., Acton, is offering a gift card special. Receive an additional $20 toward King’s Ink gift cards for every $100 spent on gift cards.
- Siesta sleepworks at 276 Great Rd, Acton, no sales tax on mattresses now though Nov. 30, 2024.
- The Silver Unicorn Bookstore at 12 Spruce St., Acton, is participating.
- Wag N’ Wash at 444 Great Road, Acton, is featuring promotions on their website.
The specials are being updated regularly, so check back frequently. You can find information at the Town’s Economic Development Office website.
Town Manager John Mangiaratti noted, “The town is committed to the growth and success of our local community and are thrilled to promote Shop Small Acton. This initiative plays a crucial role in bolstering small businesses and fostering economic development within our town. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of Shop Small Acton and are grateful for the opportunity to promote our local businesses.”
Greg Jarboe covers Council on Aging and many other topics around town.