Small Business Saturday is approaching, and Downtown Soul City, the merchant organization comprised of several downtown businesses, is gearing up for it with its third annual SBS Crawl.
The first iteration of the event, also known as the “small biz crawl,” kicked off in November of 2021.
The bazaar is one of several cross-promotional community events Downtown Soul City organizes to encourage patronage along the Broad Street corridor. Camp Soul City is its summer camp-themed merchant festival, and the Masters-themed 19th Hole Crawl launched in spring of this year.
“It’s all about shopping local away from the craziness of the big box stores,” said Jennifer Tinsley, owner of FIELD Botanicals and chair of Downtown Soul City. “Supporting the small businesses that make our downtown fun and unique, and coming together as a community to embrace the holiday season.”
Other participating retailers include The Book Tavern, Grantski Records and Augusta Candle Co.
The crawl is to begin at 10 a.m. at Augusta & Co., at 1010 Broad St., where the first 200 shoppers will receive complimentary canvas totes and crawl maps. By shopping at any of the 14 participating vendors, customers will be able to enter a drawing for a gift basket worth more than $50, full of merchandise donated from each sponsoring merchant.
Two new Broad Street shops — interior décor and furniture store Mod Home, which celebrated its ribbon-cutting last month; and the grocer Earth Pantry, which had its grand opening earlier this month — will be the newest participants in the yearly merchants’ fair.
“Small Business Saturday is more than just a day to buy gifts; it is also a celebration of local community, talent, and love,” said Alexia Gonzalez, owner of Earth Pantry. “By supporting a small business this season, you’ll be getting a gift for a loved one but also giving the gift of community to the business owner.”
The Downtown Soul City Small Business Saturday Crawl will be on Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
