Small Business Saturday is November 30, 2024! This annual event, celebrated nationwide on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, highlights the vital role small businesses play in our communities. It’s a day to support the shops, services, and entrepreneurs that make our communities unique. The IEE’s 2024 Small Business Shopping Guide highlights some of the regional businesses that engage with one of our five centers. From unique holiday gifts to special promotions for Small Business Saturday, this guide is a resource for shopping small and making a big impact this holiday season.
Holiday Gifts & Unique Finds
Daggerfish Gear is a local manufacturer of wilderness essentials—like handreels and foraging bags—made from natural materials. Founder Adam Nelson started Daggerfish to create beautiful, unique, and exceptionally crafted products that help others connect to the wilderness.
This Small Business Saturday, Daggerfish is releasing their new Field Bags, waxed canvas crossbody bags designed to work perfectly with accessories for fishing, foraging, and hiking.
Homegrown Beauty founder, Kelsey Schumacher, was frustrated by the lack of truly natural beauty products on the market. Even items labeled as “natural” often contained harsh chemicals and toxins. Determined to find a solution, Kelsey began experimenting in her home kitchen, using ingredients from her local farmers market and a trusty stand mixer.
Today, Homegrown Beauty’s products are handmade using Kelsey’s original recipes, with a continued commitment to quality and safety.
Homegrown Beauty is offering 20% this Small Business Saturday with promo code SBS24.
Stories Like Me, an independent bookstore located in Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, opened its doors in 2022. Owner Helen Campbell describes the shop as a community hub, promoting equality, equity and inclusion. Its aim is to become the most comprehensive resource for diverse and empowering children’s literature, enabling all children to see themselves in a story. The store offers a vast collection of unique and inclusive children’s and young adult literature, continuously adding new books to its inventory.
In addition to their Greenfield location, Stories Like Me will be popping up at Ross Park Mall in the North Hills from 11/25- 12/16 this holiday season.
Located north of Pittsburgh in Zelienople, family business Hearth & Home Furnishings has been a trusted destination for fireplaces and outdoor furniture since 1978. Their two-story, 9,000 square-foot showroom features a wide variety of fireplaces, wicker, rattan, and patio furniture to suit every style and space.
This holiday season, Hearth & Home introduces a new collection of festive décor, from ornaments to decorative accents and dinnerware. Visit Hearth and Home this Black Friday and Small Business Saturday for 15% off store-wide!
Founded in 1939, Larrimor’s has established itself as Pittsburgh’s premier fashion destination. Located in downtown Pittsburgh, Larrimor’s offers a curated selection of women’s contemporary fashion, designer clothing, handbags, and accessories. The men’s collection includes made-to-measure suits, custom dress shirts, and luxury and designer casual wear.
This Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season, Larrimor’s will provide complimentary gift wrapping with purchases, validated parking at the PNC garage, and 25% off of one regularly priced item in-store through 12/24!
Wildchild Stitches, located in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, offers a wide selection of yarn, embroidery floss, and stitching accessories for knitting, crochet, and fiber arts. They also host workshops and private lessons for crafters and artists of all skill levels.
This Black Friday, enjoy rolling discounts throughout the day and bonus dollars on gift cards in store. In December, Wildchild Stitches will be hosting holiday classes, including a “make-your-own-stocking” workshop. Give the shop a call for an up to date class schedule.
Founded in 2019 by Jarmele Fairclaugh, Mele’s Gifts & Party Planning offers unique, customizable gifts and exceptional event planning services in the Pittsburgh area. From personalized gift baskets to themed party packages and full-service event coordination, Mele’s brings a personalized touch to any celebration.
This holiday season, Mele’s presents a selection of spa-themed gift baskets, thoughtfully crafted and highly recommended by owner and creator Jarmele as ideal gifts this season.
Festive Foods & Treats
All Things Empanada is an online empanada shop offering weekly delivery throughout Pittsburgh. You can find owner and Chef Coty Rastafar popping up at events around the city selling her handmade take & bake empanadas.
All Things Empanada is taking pre-orders this holiday season for their holiday platters perfect for gatherings. Check out their menu, upcoming events, and place an order through their website.
Eggs N’at is a local diner serving the Moon Township community and surrounding areas with fresh food, friendly service, and a focus on sustainable restaurant operations.
Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Eggs N’at serves up all things breakfast, from classic eggs benedict to flavorful huevos rancheros.
This holiday season, stop by to enjoy their festive eggnog pancakes, lightly scented with nutmeg, or grab a gift certificate for a breakfast lover in your life.
Darnella Darling Delights is a Black Woman owned mobile bakery specializing in unique gourmet cupcakes, cheesecakes and old-fashioned poundcake. You can find founder and pastry chef Darnella Murray in her food truck, selling her creations at events throughout Pittsburgh, or enjoy her treats by ordering for delivery.
You can also find her creations at Salem’s Market in the Hill District, Salem’s restaurant in the Strip District, and Scotty’s Market at CMU this holiday season.
Experiences & Events
Bella Sera founder, Chef Jason Capps, is an entrepreneur and seasoned traveler. In 2017 Jason started Jason’s Journeys LLC, offering small group tours in various regions of Italy. Jason’s passion is discovering “gems” in the form of restaurants, accommodations and activities and sharing them with his guests. His creatively curated tours offer once in a lifetime experiences such as pasta making, wine and cheese tastings, truffle hunting, boat charters, float plane rides, driving Ferraris, and much more. Every aspect of the tours are meticulously planned and vetted by Jason and his reviews by travelers are overwhelmingly positive.
This Small Business Saturday Jason’s Journeys is offering $500 off per couple when you register for a 2025 trip by 12/24!
The Artists Hand gallery, located in Indiana County, connects local artists with the community, showcasing diverse works from creators within 35 miles of Downtown Indiana. Since 2012 the gallery has celebrated creativity through visual arts, literature, music, and more, providing a vibrant gathering place for art and connection.
This Small Business Saturday, The Artist Hand Gallery will be joining in Downtown Indiana’s “It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival and Mary Bailey Day celebration. Customers will receive 10% value of all art purchases in “Downtown Dollars.” Use them like cash throughout the December holidays at the many participating restaurants and retail businesses in Downtown Indiana, including future purchases at The Artists Hand.
