Pink Friday shopping event will highlight small businesses in Charles City

To The Press

Fourteen Charles City retail stores will be participating in the second-annual nationwide Pink Friday small business shopping experience on Friday, Nov. 18.

Created by a small business retail association, The Boutique Hub, Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping day, reminding people to “#ShopSmallFirst” and participate in the shopping experience local retailers are focused on providing their customers.

The goal on Nov. 18 is to celebrate the businesses that are the backbone of local communities, according to information from the local group.

“Pink Friday was created to shine a spotlight on small businesses and encourage everyone to shop consciously during the holiday season,” said Ashley Alderson, founder and CEO of The Boutique Hub. “There has never been a more important time than now to ‘Shop Small First.’ Small businesses make a big impact in America’s communities, and it’s important that we support them as much as possible.”

In addition to featuring gifting options for the holidays, the small business will be preparing and serving their own favorite holiday sweets and treats and sharing the recipes with all of their customers.

“We’re calling this year’s event a shopping and tasting experience,” said Tiffany Rottinghaus, chair of this year’s Pink Friday event in Charles City, adding that “many people will be surprised about what is offered right in their own community.”

Rottinghaus said, “Stops like the Floyd County Museum Gift Shop along with the Art Center Gift Shop offer interesting and thoughtful gift options that are sometimes overlooked in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping. Other retail boutiques like Cardigan, Birdie and Bo’s and Darbe & Co. have developed gift and apparel offerings for our shoppers this holiday season.

“This event really allows us to highlight our downtown retail stores and helps our community get to know the people who own and manage them,” Rottinghaus said.

Participating Locations are Birdies and Bo’s, Cardigan, Charles City Galleria Gift Shop, Darbe & Co., Encore, Floyd County Museum Gift Shop, Main Street Drug, Prologue, The Rustic Corner, Saxony, Schiller’s Fine Art & Framing, TJ’s Service, 2 Kute Klothes and Unique Country Store.

The official Charles City Pink Friday website, www.cardiganco.com/pinkfriday, lists all the local participating locations for this year’s Pink Friday, along with the store hours, what treats they will be serving Friday and links to the business websites.

Rottinghaus said any small business can participate in Pink Friday and can find out more by visiting www.theboutiquehub.com/pinkfriday.

People can also follow the #ShopSmallFirst hashtag on social media.