Visit Alexandria Announces Virtual ‘Shop Small Week’ to Boost Holiday Shopping

With parades, festivals and even the Christmas tree lighting in Old Town all impacted by COVID-19, the holiday season will be dramatically different for Alexandria business owners.

Bearing that in mind, Visit Alexandria just announced Alexandria Shop Small Week, a new virtual promotional series from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 with deals and giveaways to help make up for losses to this year’s post-Thanksgiving period of holiday shopping.

The series begins with Plaid Friday: Alexandria’s Small Business Black Friday on Nov. 27.

“Nearly 50 independent shops are touting one-of-a-kind deals on designer and coveted merchandise, including home décor, chic fashion, gourmet food, classic toys and gifts for pets,” according to Visit Alexandria. “Check out Black-owned Alexandria businesses during the nationwide ‘Buy Black Friday’ initiative every Friday from October 30 to November 27, 2020.”

According to Visit Alexandria:

Members of the Old Town Business Association and Old Town Boutique District are celebrating Plaid Friday with two unique offerings. Snag a free plaid mask made by local designer DMARAN when you spend $100 or more at participating Old Town stores, plus enjoy gift-wrapping at select stores. Don your favorite tartan as part of this year’s Virtual Plaid Patrol and snap a pic to post to Instagram, tagging @otboutiques, @alhstayle and @tsgalexandria and use #PlaidPatrol. You’ll be entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card to an Old Town Boutique District business of your choice. Two winners will be selected.

Nearly 50 independent shops, many opening early, offer some of their best deals of the year.

• Small Business Saturday – November 28
  Enjoy free parking, prizes from the Elf Patrol and nearly 50 independent boutiques featuring discounts or gifts with purchase.
• Museum Store Sunday – November 29
  Enjoy discounts of 20% at participating Alexandria museum stores plus 20% off Black history merchandise from Manumission Tour Company’s online store.
• Cyber Monday – November 30
  Promotional online offers from more than 30 Alexandria boutiques include discounts, gifts with purchase and free shipping.
• Giving Tuesday – December 1
• Instagram Gift Card Giveaways – December 4-6
  Follow @VisitAlexVA for three days of giveaways and your chance to win one of three $300 gift cards to a choice of local boutiques.
• Alexandria Santa–gram Giveaway – Extends through Shop Small Week, November 9-December 20