A Shop-Local Guide to Black Friday + Small Business Saturday

In recent years, Thanksgiving weekend has become dominated by Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the biggest shopping day of the year. And it’s getting worse: Last year, stores began opening on Thursday evening in order to get a jump on Black Friday sales. Following the outcry and calls for boycotts of the so-called “Black Thursday” trend, outdoor specialty store REI has announced it would remain closed on both Black Friday and Thanksgiving, encouraging its employees and shoppers to spend Black Friday outdoors via the hashtag #OptOutside.

Locally, North Loop men’s clothing store Askov Finlayson—which was just named the #3 best independent store in America by GQ—is also getting into the act. For every person who posts an Instagram of an outdoor adventure the weekend of Black Friday and tags @askovfinlayson and #TeamNorth, the shop will donate $1 to Climate Generation, a climate-change non-profit founded by famed Arctic explorer Will Steiger. The store will also donate 10 percent of all in-store and online sales from Friday through Monday to the organization.

Also taking a philanthropic bent are Uptown home store Pharmacie, which is donating 10 percent of the weekend’s sales to local nonprofit Loaves and Fishes (in addition to offering 10 percent off customers’ purchases), and North Loop’s the Foundry Home Goods, which is donating a whopping 100 percent of its sales to the charity, Memorial Sloan Kettering Rare Cancer Research.

Meanwhile, those looking to do some holiday shopping this weekend while supporting local businesses can put their dollars toward Small Business Saturday, an initiative started by American Express in 2010. While the credit card company will no longer offer statement credits for spending money at small businesses as it has in previous years, it still offers a good excuse to shop small businesses.

Whether you spend the weekend outdoors, with family and friends, or supporting local businesses, here’s a roundup of the special offers, discounts, and events hosted by Twin Cities stores this weekend:

Black Friday:

  • A Little reFind: Wear plaid for Plaid Friday and receive 10 percent off, plus be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate.
  • AlwaysMod: Take 15 percent off storewide.
  • Bon Marché Boutique: From 10 a.m.–2 p.m., take 30 percent off apparel and jewelry; from 2–6 p.m., take 20 percent off apparel and jewelry (excludes home items)
  • B. Resale: Take 20 percent storewide
  • Forage Modern Workshop: Enjoy 20 percent off the entire store, and enjoy tunes by DJ Drew Miller, who will spin a mix of rarely-heard holiday tunes, with hundreds of fresh vinyl records for sale from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Lily and Violet: Take $10 off a $50 purchase; wine will be served
  • Minneapolis Institute of Art: “Opt in for Art” as Black Friday returns to Mia. From 6–10 a.m., visitors receive free admission to Delacroix’s Influence: The Rise of Modern Art from van Gogh to Cezanne and free coffee and treats from Mia’s onsite Agra Culture Kitchen & Press. From 6–8 a.m., shoppers get 20 percent off all purchases at The Store (members receive an additional 10 percent off their usual 20 percent discount). Also, enjoy a gift with purchase of $100 or more all day and $5 off all Artist Statement tees designed by contemporary artists in Mia’s collection. Additionally, a collaboration with Faribault Woolen Mills will launch on Black Friday, along with the release of Mia’s Rooftop Gold Honey, made by bees housed on Mia’s roof.
  • MINQ: From 7–10 a.m., take 50 percent off all clothing and 30 percent off all jewelry and handbags. From 10 a.m.–10 p.m., take 40 percent off all clothing and 20 percent off all jewelry and handbags.
  • PARC: Take 20 percent off your purchase and receive a free beanie with every purchase over $150, in-store and online. Use online code: BLACKBLACK
  • Proper & Prim: Plaid Friday: Take 20 percent off storewide, and if you wear plaid, you’ll receive a coupon for 30 percent off one item in a future purchase (valid 11/29/15–12/31/15). (Hours: 11 am-7pm)
  • ROAM Interiors: The iconic Flos Arco lamp is on sale for one day only for $1,995 (from $2,995); all in-stock Tom Dixon products and Fusion pool/dining tables will be 20 percent off
  • Second Début: Take 15-20 percent off storewide. Proceeds support Goodwill job-skill training programs.
  • Stephanie’s: Scratch & Save: Scratch off your discount to take 20 percent, 30 percent, or 40 percent off your entire purchase at checkout,  plus expanded sale racks and a limited time 50 percent off discount on select pre-fall and fall sales. (Hours: 10am-7pm)
  • Teeny Bee Boutique: Celebrates Plaid Friday with 20 percent off (25 percent off when you wear plaid), plus a $10 gift card with a purchase of $150 or more, sips, and sweets.

Small Business Saturday:

  • ACG: Take 40 percent off handmade clothing site-wide, including sale items, with code “SHOPSMALL”
  • American Swedish Museum: Spend $100 or more in the ASI Jul Shop and receive a free box of Lars’ Own Gingersnaps.
  • Arrow: Jewelry designer Cheryl Freeman of The FFS hosts a trunk show, plus 30 take percent off all fall/winter clothing, free gift wrap, and sparkling wine
  • AZ Gallery: Find handmade gifts including jewelry, ceramics, photography, cards, leather goods, glass, textiles, ornaments, and more by local artists. (9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
  • Blowdry! Blowdry Bar: $25 blowout gift certificates (regularly $35), and 20 percent off all retail, gift cards, and services (available in-store only). 
  • Bluebird Boutique: Take 20% off storewide
  • Bon Marché Boutique: Take 20 percent off a purchase of $60 or more storewide (excludes home items)
  • Brightwater Clothing & Gear: Cocoon by Elizabeth Geisler hosts a trunk show; for every Cocoon purchase, the store will be donating two coats for kids via Operation Warm.
  • b. resale: Take 20 percent off everything (excluding Crafty Bitch), tunes from DJ Don Cuco from 1–4pm, free b. tote bags, and a giftable pop-up featuring handmade ring dishes, jewelry trays, and stash jars by Crafty Bitch.
  • C’est Chic Boutique: Select items on sale, double loyalty points, and a Turkish bracelet free with $100 gift certificate purchase
  • Corset Styling & Fashion Boutique: For each regularly priced item purchased at Corset Styling, customers enjoy a second item for 50 percent off. The discount applies to the lower priced item. Sale items already reduced to 30 percent off will be 50 percent off.
  • Covered: Receive a gift with purchase of $75 or more
  • Equation: Take 20 percent off storewide
  • Flourish Art & Gifts: Trunk show from Paisley + Sparrow online boutique and Okaydesign goods, plus warm drinks and treats
  • Forage Modern Workshop: Take 20 percent off storewide
  • Grethen House: Hosts an Oie Jewelry trunk show; its 30 percent off fall sale continues (both 50th & France and North Loop locations)
  • Golden Age Design: Take 15 percent off storewide (Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
  • Golden Rule Collective: The first 75 customers receive a hand-crafted espresso drink from Coffee Cart Mpls, and all shoppers can take part in a mini portrait sessions courtesy of Colleen Eversman of 2nd Truth Photography, shot against a botanical installation created in collaboration with floral designer Jackie Reisenauer of Munster Rose.
  • Goldfine Jewelry Showroom (600 Washington Ave N #350): The local jeweler will be joined by Julia Moss Designs and Amy’s Cupcakes (11am-3pm)
  • Hackwith Design House: Take 30 percent off site-wide with code TURKEY30 at checkout
  • HAUS Salon: Take 20 percent off retail, plus $20 free when you purchase $100 in gift cards
  • Hotrocity: Take 15 percent off local accessories and clothing at hotrocity.com with promo code “ShopLocalSaturday”
  • Indigo: Take 10 percent off all antique Asian and tribal furniture
  • Jeromeo in the Loop: Buy three, get one free gift cards (all amounts must be the same but can be any amount); can be used for any retail or wellness center services. Also receive 25 percent off your first massage and a free yoga class.
  • Jumpwings Heritage Brands: Take 20 percentoff on SchottNYC apparel
  • June Resale: Receive a pair of fingerless rabbit-trim gloves free with purchase of $75 while they last; buy a $100 gift certificate and get a free $20 gift certificate to give or for yourself, to be used beginning Dec. 1, plus mimosas and sweets.
  • Junket: Tossed & Found 10 percent off storewide and donuts (Hours: 10am-8pm)
  • Karen Morris Millinery: Take 20 percent off couture and ready-to-wear hats at local milliner Karen Morris’s studio (1975 Oakcrest Avenue, Suite 5, Roseville) and online with code “mnbiz15.” (kmhats.com)
  • Kisa Boutique (Ridgedale): Jewelry trunk show from local line Bouchard Design Co., receive $20 store credit when you buy a $100 gift card, and enter a drawing for a $100 gift card giveaway.
  • Lily and Violet: Take 25 percent off one item; receive a $10 discount for registering your AmEx card; complimentary chair massages from 1–4pm; enjoy wine and small tastings while shopping.
  • Max’s at The Shops at Excelsior & Grand hosts a Carolina Bucci jewelry trunk show and gourmet chocolate tastings.
  • Merilou Boutique: Take 20 percent off storewide through Friday, December 4, plus be entered into a drawing for a $200 gift card when you share a pic of items purchased from Merilou via Instagram with the hashtag #meriloupretties.
  • North Loop Wine & Spirits: Wine tastings starting at 1:30pm, plus take 20 percent off two or more bottles of wine, 25 percent off cases of wine, and 10 percent off large-format beers
  • Omforme: Take 20 percent off everything (excluding art)
  • PARC: Take 20 percent off your purchase and receive a $15 gift card (redeemable 12/1-12/31) with every purchase over $150, in-store at both its 50th & France and Northeast locations, and online. Use online code: SMALLSHOP (valid 11/28-11/29)7
  • Poppy: Take 10 percent off locally designed products at Poppy, a free Larissa Loden necklace with a purchase of $50 or more, and a custom Poppy Small Business Saturday tote with purchase.
  • Primrose Park: 30 percent off sweaters and dresses, 15 percent off gifts, and receive a free gift with a $250 purchase at its West End, Woodbury, and Nisswa locations
  • Proper & Prim: Take 20 percent off store-wide, including new arrivals and gift items.
  • Roe Wolfe hosts a progressive sale storewide: Take 10 percent off one item, 20 percent off two, and 30 percent off three or more clothing and accessories items, plus a progressive beauty sale: 25  off 1 item, 50 percent off two, and 75 percent off three or more. Also take advantage of special holiday gift packs and coat drive: For every coat donated, receive two entries into the $100 gift card drawing.
  • russell+hazel: Take 15 percent off both in-store and online, and receive free shipping through Monday with code “BLKFRI15” at checkout
  • Shinola North Loop: In collaboration with Modern Midwest, Shinola hosts Modern Midwest Pop-up, a five-day, curated holiday shopping event kicking off on Small Business Saturday with Minnesota makers including Lanona Shoe Co., Tandem Made, and Wind and Willow Home. (Through Dec. 2., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.)
  • Semblance: Take 10 percent off your first item, 20 percent off your second, 30 percent off your third, and up to 50 percent off up to your fifth item (in-store only, Mankato & New Ulm locations) (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  • The Shops at Lyn-Lake: Showroom, Midwest Makeup Supply, Hairpolice, and Tatus by Koré will have a special, one-day-only offer: Purchase $100 gift certificates for only $75 at each location, plus enjoy sips and small bites. (More info)
  • Statement: 20 percent off storewide, including local artisan jewelry
  • Stephanie’s: Scratch & Save: Scratch off your discount to take 20 percent, 30 percent, or 40 percent off your entire purchase at checkout,  plus expanded sale racks and a limited-time 50 percent off discount on select pre-fall and fall sales.
  • Wild Ruffle (Prior Lake): Mimosas and treats, a trunk show by Beautycounter by Christina, and 15 to 25 percent off select handmade goods

Black Friday + Small Business Saturday:

  • Atmosfere: Its North Loop location hosts a pop-up featuring local makers Hardt Jewelry, William & Rogue Co. and Marked Leather on Saturday and Sunday. Plus, take advantage of deals all weekend at both locations: Take 35 percent off from 8-9 a.m., 30 percent off from 9-10 a.m., and 25 percent off the rest of the day at its Calhoun Square location, and 25 percent off storewide at its North Loop location all day.
  • Covered: Take 20 percent off and receive a lace bralette with purchase of $75 or more (while supplies last)
  • Electric Fetus: Take 20 percent off storewide both days in addition to exclusive Black Friday album releases
  • Flirt Boutique: Flirt will give free black boyshorts with $75 purchase on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday at both locations.
  • Macho & Metro: Take 25-50 percent off storewide plus buy-one-get-one-free deals both Friday and Saturday.
  • Wilson & Willy’s: Take 20 percent off orders of $100 through Saturday in-store and online. Use the code “oneyear” for online orders.
  • The Wow Bar: Take advantage of $29 blowouts (normally $35) on Friday and Saturday with promo code “customer appreciation.” Wow Club memberships are also $100 off through Sunday.

All Black Friday weekend:

  • A La Mode Boutique & Nail Spa: Spend $250 in the boutique receive a gift certificate for a Signature Manicure, Spend $400 in the boutique receive a gift certificate for a Signature Pedicure *additional in store specials all day through Dec. 25
  • Askov Finlayson: Will donate 10 percent of all sales from Friday through Monday to Climate Generation, a climate-change non-profit founded by famed Arctic explorer Will Steiger. And for every person who posts an Instagram of an outdoor adventure the weekend of Black Friday and tags @askovfinlayson and #TeamNorth, the shop will donate $1 to to organization.
  • Atmosfere: All weekend, take 35 percent off from 8-9 a.m., 30 percent off from 9-10 a.m., and 25 percent off the rest of the day at its Calhoun Square location, and 25 percent off storewide at its North Loop location all day.
  • The Barre Studio: Take 15 percent off all class packages, 60 percent off your first month on an auto-renew contract with a six-month commitment, and two free bonus classes if you bring a friend to class on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
  • Bumbershute: 20 percent off all weekend, and will price-match with any department stores (at both 50th & France and D.NOLO locations)
  • Cait Courneya : Take 20 percent off site-wide with code “GIFTLOVE” at checkout. (Valid 11/27–11/30)
  • Cliché: Take 20 percent off storewide plus 25 percent off gift items (jewelry, scarves, mittens, candles, handbags, wallets, and pottery), plus prosecco and hot apple cider Friday through Sunday
  • D.NOLO: Take 20 percent off storewide
  • The Foundry Home Goods will donate 100 percent of their profits to the charity Memorial Sloan Kettering Rare Cancer Research, plus offer cider and snacks all weekend.
  • Hardt Jewelry: Through Monday, take 30 percent off site-wide plus free shipping
  • Idun: Take 20 percent off in-store and online with code “GODJUL” through Monday.
  • Indigo & Snow: Take 30 percent off Annabella Sardelis’s handcrafted goods with the code “TEXTILES” through Monday at indigoandsnow.com
  • KOKOON: Take an additional 20 percent off sale prices with code “GIFTTHX” through Monday
  • The Maker’s Collection: Through Monday, take 25 percent off site-wide on the new, 2014 Maker’s Collection, a collection of custom-made-in-MInnesota gifts that support refugees worldwide.
  • MartinPatrick3: Take 20 percent off storewide Friday through Sunday
  • Merilou Boutique: Take 20 percent off storewide through Friday, December 4.
  • Mille: 25 percent off storewide and online through Sunday
  • Neal Jewelry: Take 20 percent off online through Monday with the code “shopsmall” at checkout
  • No Square Peg: Take 30 percent off site-wide through Cyber Monday
  • Pharmacie: Good Karma Sale: Take 10 percent off, and the shop will donate an additional 10 percent to Loaves & Fishes with each sale Friday through Sunday.
  • Pumpz & Co.: Take 30 percent off fall boots, shoes, handbags, and more beginning on Black Friday.
  • Retro Wanderlust: Take 25 percent off lighting, art, and decor, plus 15 percent off furniture.
  • russell+hazel: Take 15 percent off both in-store and online, and receive free shipping through Monday with code “BLKFRI15” at checkout
  • Sanborn Canoe Co.: Take 20 percent off with the code “blackfriday20” site-wide through Monday
  • StormSisters Spatique & 3waybeauty: From Thanksgiving day to midnight on Monday, November 30, receive 25 percent off on local beauty products at stormsister.biz, 3waybeauty.com, and  stormsisterspatique.com with code “HOLIDAY2015” at checkout.
  • Winsome: Now through the end of 2015, take 20 percent off site-wide at winsomegoods.com with the code “20TILL2016.”
  • Woodchuck USA: Take advantage of Black Friday deals all weekend at woodchuckusa.com

Cyber Monday:

  • AlwaysMod: Receive a free gift with a $100+ purchase at alwaysmod.com.
  • Askov Finlayson: Will donate 10 percent of all in-store and online sales from Friday through Monday to Climate Generation, a climate-change non-profit founded by famed Arctic explorer Will Steiger. And for every person who posts an Instagram of an outdoor adventure the weekend of Black Friday and tags @askovfinlayson and #TeamNorth, the shop will donate $1 to to organization.
  • Cait Courneya : Take 20 percent off site-wide with code “GIFTLOVE” at checkout. (Valid 11/27–11/30)
  • D.NOLO: Take 20 percent off storewide
  • Equation: Take 20 percent off online with code “THANKSALOT”
  • Hardt Jewelry: Through Monday, take 30 percent off site-wide plus free shipping
  • Idun: Take 20 percent off in-store and online with code “GODJUL” through Monday.
  • Indigo & Snow: Take 30 percent off Annabella Sardelis’s handcrafted goods with the code “TEXTILES” through Monday at indigoandsnow.com
  • KOKOON: Take an additional 20 percent off sale prices with code “GIFTTHX” through Monday
  • The Maker’s Collection: Through Monday, take 25 percent off site-wide on the new, 2014 Maker’s Collection, a collection of custom-made-in-MInnesota gifts that support refugees worldwide.
  • Neal Jewelry: Take 20 percent off online through Monday with the code “shopsmall” at checkout
  • No Square Peg: Take 30 percent off site-wide through Cyber Monday
  • PARC: Take 20 percent off your online purchase and receive a special gift with every purchase over $150 at parcboutique.com. (Some exclusions apply.) Use online code: SHOPONLINE
  • russell+hazel: Take 15 percent off both in-store and online, and receive free shipping through Monday with code “BLKFRI15” at checkout
  • Sanborn Canoe Co.: Take 20 percent off with the code “blackfriday20” site-wide through Monday
  • StormSisters Spatique & 3waybeauty: From Thanksgiving day to midnight on December 1, receive 25 percent off on local beauty products at stormsister.biz, 3waybeauty.com, and  stormsisterspatique.com with code “HOLIDAY2015” at checkout.
  • Tess + Tricia: The local jewelry line will be announcing a special Cyber Monday discount on Sun., Nov. 29; visit tessandtricia.com to shop.
  • Winsome: Now through the end of 2015, take 20 percent off site-wide at winsomegoods.com with the code “20TILL2016.”