Shop South End During Small Business Saturday

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves. But what about those mom-and-pop businesses all over Charlotte and beyond that are the backbone of America's economy? Just when do they get their day?

That's basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born. Locally owned business across the country now take part in Small Business Saturday, offering their own deals to rival those offered the day before on Black Friday.

South End, which has more than 200 local businesses and 70 places to eat and drink, will be celebrating Small Business Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 25. A map of all the businesses participating in the event can be found here.

Here’s some advice from Historic South End to help you make the most of the shopping event:

• Park anywhere or ride in on the light rail: we’ve got you covered so you can leave your car and spend the day carefree. Park once (list below) and then hop on one of the free history trolleys sponsored by Novel Stonewall Station to get around the district from shop to shop.

Start your day in one of the three festival hubs:

• Camden Road, start at East-West Boulevard and Camden, arm yourself with a map and directions from a friendly tour guide and set out to explore the great shops, restaurant and art galleries on and around Camden. Pop-up shops will line the street leading you to the brick and mortar shops who will have doors open, music playing, festive snacks and gifts. There are also some special happenings inside the shops of South End: Ciel Gallery is hosting the Jingle Jangle Holiday Market at 128 E Park. Charlotte Art League is hosting the Starving Artist Market pop-up art market at 1517 Camden Road.Then take the free trolley to the next stop…
• 2525 Distribution Street, with Dudeapalooza at C3 Lab. 11am – 5pm. Plentiful parking, local shops featuring gifts for dudes (and no potpourri), original works of art for sale, and the C3 Outdoor Biergarten with a heated outdoor tent, Triple C beer and food trucks slinging BBQ and taco goodness. Then take the free trolley to the next stop…
• Lincoln Street, between Church and Mint, where pop-ups will line the streets, and you can explore music, shop for gifts, art and decor, and beverages from Unknown Brewing. Then take the trolley back to grab a bite to eat or back to where you started…

Getting Here, Parking Here
There is plentiful parking on-street and off-street throughout South End. Here are a few options:

• Design Center parking deck at Doggett & Hawkins (paid)
• Design Center surface lot at Worthington & Hawkins (paid)
• Little Hardware parking lot at Mint & Bland (paid, $3/day)
• Gravel lot across the street from Little Hardware at Mint & Bland (paid, $3/day, via app)
• Gravel lot at Mint Street between Palmer and Quincy (paid, via ParkIt app)
• Free weekend parking is available on-street throughout South End, try Church, Summit, S Tryon, Camden, Kingston, Hawkins or Distribution streets
• Free parking is available in the surface lots near C3 Lab (2525 Distribution St)
• Free parking is available at the free park-and-ride lots on the light rail line at Scaleybark station, and the stations further south at Woodlawn, Tyvola, Archdale, Arrowood, Sharon Road West, and I-485 S. Ride the light rail for $2.20 per trip or $6.60 for unlimited rides on a day pass

For a true South End experience, ditch your car and use the light rail, free trolley rides (thanks to Novel Stonewall Station), two wheels or your own two feet to explore the neighborhood.

Shopping Totes
The wildly popular #ShopSmall totes from American Express and new hot-off-the-presses South End shopping totes sponsored by the Design District will be available to shoppers at all participating brick and mortar shops in South End. Stop in a shop to ask about them – while supplies last!

Patch Editor Cameron Luttrell contributed to this article.

Photo via Pixabay