Ballard area businesses are putting a generous spin on Black Friday by participating in the annual Ballard Gives Black Friday event.
Business owners are encouraging shoppers to skip the crowds and shop locally in Ballard for a good cause. A more socially-conscience effort is planned for the busiest shopping weekend of the year, as participating businesses are donating a portion of their sales to a local non-profit. Many business owners are extending their donations throughout the weekend.
“We find our customers are very excited about the event and want to support the participating businesses. In fact, many customers feel inspired and give to the charities above and beyond what their purchase alone accomplishes,” says Ryan Stauffer, Co-owner of Market Street Shoes.
Ballard Gives Black Friday was originally launched a few years ago by local merchants looking for a way to counter the “rampant shopping frenzy created by national brands, malls and big box stores and instead create an atmosphere of giving,” according to Stauffer.
Non-profit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from local business owners than they do from non-locally owned businesses.
Click here to learn more and find the local business that are participating.
