Port Clinton Square Tree Lighting; photo courtesy of Downtown Highland Park Alliance.
Many North Shore retailers are offering post-Thanksgiving sales on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and beyond — so if you eat too much on Thursday, plan to walk it off over the weekend by shopping close to home. You’ll find great holiday deals along the way.
“Let’s get people out of the malls and encourage them to shop local in support of local businesses,” said Chris Thomas from The Runner’s Edge in Wilmette, which spearheaded the village’s Small Business Saturday effort with the Wilmette/Kenilworth Chamber of Commerce. About 60 percent of each dollar spent goes back to the community when you shop locally, compared to nothing when you shop online, he said.
Here is a roundup of several sales this weekend and beyond:
Highland Park: Wendy Shotts, managing director of the Downtown Highland Park Alliance, took DailyNorthShore.com on a tour Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and weekend-long sales:
Pulse Fitness is offering a Black Friday special of 25 percent off one package of personal training.
CryoPure Spa is offering a special on Whole Body Cryotherapy and Infrared Therapy for up to 52 percent off on Black Friday. Prices are two sessions for $65, four sessions for $129 or six sessions for $189.
Uncle Dan’s is having a “Mad for Plaid” weekend sale. With any $50 purchase you can get a free plaid scarf while supplies last, and enter a drawing to win a Woolrich vintage buffalo check wool blanket.
Alixandra Collections is turning Black Friday and Small Business Saturday into a week-long celebration by having seven days of sales in-store and online.
JAYNE is offering select Sorel boots for $79, and a group of Ugg Boots for 40 percent off. Other than a few exceptions, the whole store is discounted from head to toe including hats, scarves, gloves, and sweaters. Fleece leggings are on sale for $12.
Modern Opulence is offering 25 percent off your entire purchase of full-priced items for Black Friday weekend. All fall/winter sale items are 60 percent off. All reduced merchandise is final sale.
Shopping is thirsty work, and Michael’s Chicago-Style Red Hots is hoping to take the edge off with “Adult Slushies,” said Shotts, who encourages everyone to check out the newly remodeled restaurant.
Lake Forest and Lake Bluff: Voila!, Forest Bootery, Lake & Co., Forest & Found, The Initial Choice, Kiddles Sports, Kelsey Resale, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest Flowers and many other local businesses will celebrate the season with post-Thanksgiving sales, specials and promotions. For a full list visit the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber’s website at www.ShopLFLB.com.
Kiddles Sports will have its holiday sale on Sunday rather than Black Friday or Small Business Saturday by offering 15 percent off everything in the store including bicycles. “This is a rare opportunity to save 15 percent on a bicycle,” said Lee Shlifka, one of the owners.
Forest Bootery and Lake & Co. are on Market Square. At both stores, buy the first item full price and you’ll get 30 percent off the second. The special starts on Black Friday and lasts through Cyber Monday.
Wilmette: There are 22 businesses from the village and Plaza del Lago participating in Small Business Saturday. Merchants will distribute “passports” for people to visit different stores while getting their passports stamped along the way. It’s not necessary to purchase anything to get a stamp, but the idea is to generate foot traffic. Each merchant is raffling off a prize that is $50 or more. For example, The Runner’s Edge is raffling a complete running outfit from head to toe (including shoes) by Saucony valued at $350. The prizes will be drawn the week after the event.
Hubbard Woods: Many stores are in post-Thanksgiving holiday sales spirit. Here are a few highlights; stroll the neighborhood to find even more! Bedside Manor is offering special savings from one of its vendor of luxury linens, Yves Delorme, with all categories of bed, bath, and table linens are included. Purchase one item and receive 10% off. Two items receives a 20% discount. Three items or more receives a 30% savings. The promotion runs November 25 through December 10.
Phototronics in Hubbard Woods is offering 15 percent off camera accessories and supplies. Some manufacturers of cameras, lenses and GoPro are offering instant savings as well.
Material Possessions is running a 20% to 75% off sale on all chandeliers for the Black Friday weekend.
Bella Bleu Bridal is offering 10% off all gown orders and a complimentary veil for gown orders over $3,000.
Winnetka: The Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce is planning the Annual Red Invitation Sunday Sale in Winnetka and Northfield on Sunday, December 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will save on holiday shopping when more than 35 shops and restaurants offer great deals, free refreshments and often times free gift wrapping.
Northfield: Northfield Now!, Village of Northfield, Northfield Park District, Winnetka-Northfield Library District and Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce are planning the first annual Northfield Holiday Lights and Family Fun on December 4. Centered in Northfield Village Hall at the corner of Happ and Willow Roads, the program features activities including horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music performances, plus dance, crafts and refreshments, including a grilling station run by Hofherr Meat Co. The Holiday Festival begins at 3 p.m. and ends with a tree and menorah lighting at 5 p.m. Parking is available at the large municipal lot off Orchard Lane across from the Northfield Library.
DailyNorthShore.com reporters Steve Sadin and Emily Spectre contributed to this story.
