Shop Birmingham on Small Business Saturday

Shoppers are invited to keep their dollars local on Saturday, November 30, on what is now known as Small Business Saturday – a way to support small, local stores and keep dollars in the community. Small Business Saturday is a national movement begun several years ago by American Express as an answer to Black Friday. Even more special for those who visit downtown Birmingham are special incentives sponsored by the Birmingham Shopping District (BSD) – and Santa Claus. Because kicking off the shopping extravaganza, the community will welcome Santa to town during the popular Birmingham Santa Walk. In addition to visiting and enjoying all of the retail and restaurant establishments in the downtown all day, children of all ages (and their parents) are invited to attend the Birmingham Santa Walk on Saturday, November 30, at 9:30 a.m. Walkers are invited to meet in the parking lot behind The Surnow Company at 320 Martin Street, located at the southwest corner of Maple & Bates. This event will welcome Santa to town during a celebration complete with ringing sleigh bells, stops at various stores with giveaways, and concluding at Santa's quaint home in Shain Park. Children who participate in the Santa Walk will have first priority to visit Santa at the Santa House. The Santa House will be open that day from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be complimentary horse-drawn carriages from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free parking at all of the parking structures all day, and a chance to win prizes from Oakland County, from $5,000; $2,000; or a $500 Southwest Airlines voucher. Brand new this year, shoppers who prefer to leave their cars at home can take advantage of discounted Lyft rides to Birmingham, now through December 31, 2019, or when promotion funds are exhausted – whichever comes first. Small Business Saturday shoppers are encouraged to take advantage of the promotion using the following codes: Type code BHAMDAY19 from 12p.m. - 5:59 p.m. to obtain $7 off a ride to downtown Birmingham. Type code BHAMNIGHT19 from 6 p.m. - 11:59 p.m. to obtain $3 off a ride to downtown Birmingham. Learn more at AllinBirmingham.com/Lyft.