PITTSTON — Black Friday is the day for major retailers’ deals, but one can also find plenty of sales at locally-owned shops during Small Business Saturday — even in Pittston.
Businesses on Main Street will offer plenty of specials and discounts on Small Business Saturday, which is Nov. 26.
Main Street Manager Rose Randazzo says it’s important for shoppers to support local businesses because it has a positive effect on the whole city.
“We need people to come down on Small Business Saturday and support the local merchants as well as buy American-made items, if possible, because that’s what we want to accomplish for the town,” she said. “That’s going to keep the storefronts filled and the town revitalized.”
Days of Yore Antiques
A storefront that’s no stranger to Small Business Saturday is Days of Yore Antiques, which has been located at 24 S. Main St. for almost nine years.
The store offers a wide variety of antiques from between the years 1890 and 1980, says store partner Paul Caprari, and items include furniture, World War II uniforms, telephones, and table decorations.
“You never know what you’re going to find,” said Caprari. “You name it and we’ve had it, or we will have it.”
Days of Yore Antiques will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Small Business Saturday, but won’t have one specific discount available that day.
“We have prices on things, but we’re always negotiable and we’ll always negotiate,” said owner Mark Williamson.
City Trenz
Brand new to the area is City Trenz, located at 18 S. Main St., which opened in November.
The new business sells jewelry and boutique clothes as well as wigs and hair extensions. Employee Noreen Cellerari said the extensions can only be purchased at the store and not professionally done there.
“I sell the wigs or extensions and give customers instructions on how they can put the extensions in their hair at home,” she said.
Cellerari said she also sells wigs for children with cancer at a discounted price.
As for Small Business Saturday, she said the shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and there will be a 20-percent discount on all items.
Cellerari looks at Small Business Saturday as a way to get acclimated with the community.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the people of Pittston,” she said.
Pittston Dry Cleaners
Located at 16 S. Main St., Pittston Dry Cleaners opened Oct. 1 after Dempsey’s closed. It was purchased by Matthew Christman, who turned it into what it is today with the help of his mom, and employee, Renee.
The business will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Small Business Saturday. Renee said customers can get their shoes shined for $5.
They will also sell homemade cookies and hot chocolate.
Vintage Vogue
Vintage Vogue, located at 12 S. Main St., offers higher-end designer items such as clothes, purses, shoes, jewelry, dresses, sunglasses, watches and more at prices lower than retail.
Owner Tina Maria-Drahus said her store is shifting style seasons by offering vintage fur coats and winter clothing.
For small Business Saturday there will be a 20-percent discount off all store items.
Her storefront opened just as the Second Friday Art Walk began and she said her business did very well during the monthly event.
She’s hoping for the same success on Small Business Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to providing a service to the folks in the area,” Maria-Drahus said. “We’re looking forward to the holiday and the holiday season and seeing the business grow.”
She said her hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Small Business Saturday.
Purple Squirrel Pastry Co.
The bakery storefront, located at 8 N. Main St., offers homemade pastries such as cupcakes and cookies, and also offers beverages like hot chocolate and coffee.
Other businesses’ offerings will also be available inside the bakery during Small Business Saturday.
Owner Cindi Pape is calling it a “pop up shop” and will have five vendors on location at the storefront.
“I know when I started my business initially, the hardest thing was to find somewhere to sell,” she said. “We’re kind of giving a lot of other small businesses an opportunity to have a storefront that day and hopefully in the future as well.”
Vendors include LuLaRoe, who will be selling clothes; Perfectly Posh, who sells skin care products; Green Scallop Crafts, who sells jewelry and ornaments made with sea glass; OneHope Wine, who sells wine; and a licensed massage therapist offering chair massages.
The pop up shops will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Purple Squirrel Pastry Co. will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Small Business Saturday.
The Music Scene
Located at 36 N. Main St., The Music Scene has been in Pittston for almost five years and offers musical instruments and accessories.
Owner Lino Terzi said he looks forward to Small Business Saturday every year.
“I want people to realize that they’ll get better treatment and satisfaction from small owners than from big box stores,” he said.
The Music Scene will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Small Business Saturday and will have live entertainment.
Terzi said customers who purchase a Fender guitar will also receive a t-shirt and a set of guitar strings for free as part of his Small Business Saturday deal.
Palazzo 53
Located in Pittston for over six years at 53 S. Main St., Palazzo 53 will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Small Business Saturday, but only for customers to purchase gift cards.
Owner Beth Barcia said they will be selling $50 gift cards for $40 and $100 gift cards for $85 and can only be purchased with cash.
The restaurant will operate its normal business hours of 4 to 10 p.m. for dinner.
Art on Main
Art on Main, located at 71 S. Main St., has been in business for six years, but participated in Small Business Saturday for the first time last year.
“We did well last year,” said owner Maria Livrone. “I was very satisfied and we had a lot of customers come through to make purchases.”
The storefront will offer a 10-percent discount on all items which includes handcraft artwork such as paintings, photos, sculptures, glass, metal, leather, woodwork and jewelry.
Art on Main will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Small Business Saturday.
Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio
Located at 77 S. Main St., Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio has been offering cosmetics and spa services for three years in Pittston.
Owner Jane Chropowicki said they will be getting into the holiday season by offering peppermint manicures and pedicures. Customers can also purchase a gift basket and receive a $10 gift certificate.
She said the business will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Small Business Saturday.
Gerri Bridal Shop
The 50-year-old business recently moved from 175 N. Main St. to 48 S. Main St. and offers wedding dresses, formal dresses, shoes, jewelry and other accessories.
Gerri Bridal Shop will operate normal business hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Small Business Saturday and have free alterations on any dress purchases that day.
There will also be a 30-percent discount on all accessories such as shoes, jewelry and purses.
JK Holly Specialty Gifts & Home Decor
In business since 2015, JK Holly sells specialty gifts such as candles, home decor and other items.
Co-owner Joe Emma said the store’s Small Business Saturday discount will be 20-percent off all Christmas items. The business will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day.
He also looks forward to the recognition his business gets.
“I like it when people come in and take notice of our shop,” he said. “They can come downtown and shop local.”
Paul Caprari, partner at Days of Yore Antiques, displays a phone from the 1920s.
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Paul Caprari, partner at Days of Yore Antiques, displays a phone from the 1920s.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Cindi Pape, owner of The Purple Squirrel Pastry Co., sells pastry to Main Street Manager Rose Randazzo.
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Cindi Pape, owner of The Purple Squirrel Pastry Co., sells pastry to Main Street Manager Rose Randazzo.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Maria Livrone rearranges a display at Art on Main, across from the Tomato Festival lot. Maria, along with her husband Bill Zack, offer unique and one-of-a-kind art for sale.
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Maria Livrone rearranges a display at Art on Main, across from the Tomato Festival lot. Maria, along with her husband Bill Zack, offer unique and one-of-a-kind art for sale.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Lino Terzi, owner of The Music Scene, has been merchant in downtown Pittston for many years.
http://psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Small-Business-Saturday-4.jpg
Lino Terzi, owner of The Music Scene, has been merchant in downtown Pittston for many years.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
City Trenz specializes in wigs of all styles and lengths. Employee Noreen Cellerari shows the array of wigs available.
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City Trenz specializes in wigs of all styles and lengths. Employee Noreen Cellerari shows the array of wigs available.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Pittston businesses offer discounts on Saturday, Nov. 26
By Jimmy Fisher
jfisher@timesleader.com
Reach Jimmy Fisher at 570-704-3972 or on Twitter @SD_JimmyFisher