The Guide to Black Friday at Locally Owned Portland Shops
You know the drill: the day after Thanksgiving the world descends into shopping chaos. The amount of money that floods your local shops during the holiday season is what keeps them in the black through the leaner winter months. Translation: Buying local this week is more important than any other week. From Black Friday to Small Business Saturday (and even Cyber Monday) behold the gargantuan roundup of sales and events to take over your holiday weekend.
Little Boxes
Little Boxes (the antithesis of Big Box chain shopping) happens the two days following Thanksgiving with 200 local shops banding together to offer shoppers discounts and the chance to win prizes. Plan your route in advance with their handy neighborhood maps or download the digital app allowing iPhone users to easily navigate to little box stores. Once there shoppers earn 10% discounts while snagging the coolest independent products the city has to offer. Enter the massive raffle by popping into any shop (purchases automatically get you additional entries) for luxurious prizes such as an iPad, gift certificates, plus hotel and spa packages.
And like most things we do here in Stumptown, the model for collaborative cross-city shopping has become a trend. Small business owner and jewelry designer Betsy Cross of Betsy & Iya had the idea for Little Boxes a few weeks before Thanksgiving three years ago. Together with husband and Director of Development Will Cervarich, the two rallied several storeowner colleagues to agree to affinity discounts, pool funding to create a print and web presence, and solicit donated prizes for shoppers managing to get 90 stores on board in just a few days. Since its inception, Cross and Cervavich now field questions about the Little Boxes economic model from storeowners all over the country.
Get the full scoop on all participating shop and the genius of Little Boxes at LittleBoxespdx.com.
Yo Vintage: Take 30% off storewide through Black Friday at midnight. Online shoppers use code: 30OFF
Leanna NYC: Save 40% off everything on the floor and 15% off locally made jewelry. Little Box participants can earn an additional 5% off.
SaySay Boutique: Little Boxes shoppers get 10% off storewide and a free pair of socks ($10 value) with purchases of $100 or more. Online shoppers use code: LITTLEBOXES2014.
Palace: Cookies and champagne abound at the new Palace location. Take 20% off storewide at the sale running Friday to Monday.
Anna Joyce: Take 20% off Joyce’s hand printed bags and scarves. All tote and clutch orders receive a free zipper bag. Online shoppers use code: MERRYANDBRIGHT.
Ace Hotel: All Ace outerwear is 20% off online at the Ace Shop on Black Friday.
Machus: Select items from the Machus private label menswear on sale up to 30% off.
Here We Go Again Resale Boutique: Friday inventory marks down 20% with an extra 50% off clearance items. Get a free swag bag with purchase along with coffee and donuts. On Small Biz Saturday take 15% off storewide.
6/7 Boutique: Save 15% off of all Liza Rietz Designs and BOET jewelry at Burnside boutique 6/7.
Mercantile: Mercantile revives their annual Black Friday traditions. Spin their wheel for a chance to win prizes such as discounts on your purchase or a $100 gift card.
Wildfang: Wildfang turns their fort into a shopping hangout all weekend with serving hot cider, personal styling, and holiday tunes. Take 20% off everything in the story and $20 off your next order.
Popina Swimwear: Stock up on swim pieces in Popina’s Clearance section. Free shipping for online orders over $100.
Radish Underground: Shop owner Celeste Sipes hosts a trunk show with designer Lauren Greenwalt of Loop Jewelry and exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces that can only be purchased on Small Business Saturday. The trunk show goes full party with performances by guitarist Shelley Short, food and drink, and a 10% discount off all Etsy seller purchases.
Queen Bee Creations: Free gift-wrapping and tags on hand printed paper for Little Boxes shoppers.
Pearl Med Spa: Sip on coffee and nibble snacks as you take advantage of the med spa’s one-day deals and door prizes every hour.
Iron Oxide Designs: Take 20% off (and free shipping for orders over $100) on Iron Oxide’s funky jewelry between Friday and Monday.
Anne Bocci Boutique: Get a free pair of earrings with any Little Boxes or Small Biz Saturday purchase.
Mabel & Zora: The Nic + Zoe line takes over Mabel & Zora this weekend. Get first dibs on the new collection with free drinks and treats plus discounts for Little Boxes shoppers.
Shop Adorn: Shop Adorn’s progressive sale runs Friday through Sunday with 10% off for Little Boxes participants. For each amount you spend over $200 you earn steeper discounts.
House of Commons: The debut of new shop House of Commons comes on Black Friday offering up a 10% discount to Little Boxes participants.
Lille Boutique: Stock up on lingerie at Lille’s 30% off storewide sale on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Garnish: Another Little Boxes participant, Garnish will have their in-house line discounted 20% off with 10% off everything else.
West End Select Shop: Local line Olderbrother takes over the West End Select Shop on Black Friday for a meet and greet shopping party. They're bringing in their entire unisex collection discounted 10% along with drinks and free gift with purchase.
Seaworthy: Seaworthy takes their weekend sale online with 30% off all in stock items. Use code: ALLTHEJEWELS.
Duchess Clothier: Suit up at Duchess’ Saturday Sample Sale with up to 75% off new off-the-rack suits, tweed vests, dress shirts, and more.
Collaborative Sales
Hit The Cleaners at the Ace this weekend for a little Black Magic. A collaborative sale with a host of our city’s makers see designers goods from names like AK Vintage, Better Late Than Never, Crazy Wind Dina No. Made On The Moon, OLO, Portland Apothecary, Primecut, Reif Haus, RillRill, Sara Barner, Tiro Tiro, WildCraft Studio School, Winnow and Yo Vintage.
Can’t make it out? A small selection of items from each vendor will also be available online at blackmagicpdx.com.
The Good Market is Friends of Graphic Design’s holiday market with handmade items Portland State Art and Design students. Find over 60 vendors selling cards, calendars, zines, totes, jewelry, and loads more on Saturday.
