Historic Downtown Franklin is coming together on Saturday, Nov. 26, to support Small Business Saturday – a national effort to help independently owned merchants gain more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
The 200 shops and restaurants in Franklin’s historic core will offer special promotions and events the day after Black Friday to encourage patrons to shop local, as well as kick off the free Hop & Shop Trolley route for the holidays.
“Small Business Saturday has become a tradition in Downtown Franklin, and we’re grateful to be a part of it,” said Kristy Williams, director of the Downtown Franklin Association (DFA). “It’s such a fun way to support the locally-owned merchants who make our downtown district so unique, while also kicking off the holiday season.”
The initiative, which was started by American Express in 2010, garnered more than 95 million patrons last year who got out to shop on Small Business Saturday. This year is expected to be even bigger.
“Shopping small is such an integral piece of Downtown Franklin’s economic vitality, so it’s exciting to come together as a community, and as a country, to encourage that,” Williams said. “With the fun specials our merchants offer on Small Business Saturday — in addition to the Hop & Shop Trolley that will be giving shoppers free round trip rides to Historic Downtown from The Factory at Franklin — it’s never been easier to get out and support locally-owned shops and restaurants while soaking in all of the holiday cheer.”
The Hop & Shop Trolley, which is heated and handicap accessible, will begin its third year running on Small Business Saturday thanks to a partnership between the Franklin Transit Authority, the Factory at Franklin and the DFA. The ride, which begins at The Factory, located at 230 Franklin Road, and heads down Main Street and Columbia Avenue before stopping at businesses along First through Fifth avenues off Main Street, will run from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on 30-minute increments on Nov. 26, as well as Decc 3 and 17.
“The trolley will be decked out for the season and playing holiday tunes — it’s just such a fun experience for families and shoppers,” Williams said. “We’re really thankful for programs like this one that help make time spent in Downtown Franklin so memorable.”
The strip will be filled with sights and sounds of the season as DFA merchants and building owners showcase their holiday storefronts and offer specials, with highlights including:
- Anthropologie – Promotional sale, snacks
- Avec Moi – Morning mimosas
- City Farmhouse – Giveaway for Early Buying tickets to City Farmhouse Holiday Pop-up Sale on Dec. 3 and 4; 20 to 40 percent off everything in store
- Finnleys Good Findings – Free gift with purchases over $100
- Franklin Custom Interiors – All in-stock items 20 percent off, in-store surprises
- Handy Hardware – Tastings of fresh-roasted and locally-sourced coffee from Franklin Coffee Company, as well as BrightStone brownie and cookie mixes
- JONDIE, Mimi and Dottie – Mimosas and treats; free gift with purchases over $100; free, personalized styling services and gift ideas
- The Lotz House – Hosting a blood drive, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, to commemorate the 152nd anniversary of the Battle of Franklin from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Pieology – Complimentary dessert pizza or herb butter sticks for anyone who signs up for the Pie-Life e-club
- The Visitor Center – Spend $30 and receive a Franklin mug of your choice between two options: matte black or mason jar. Spend $50 and receive both for free
- Vue Optique – $100 gift card to use toward a pair of prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses (cannot be used with insurance)
The DFA encourages shoppers to check each merchant for more details, as supplies may be limited and restrictions may apply. To learn more about Historic Downtown Franklin and the work of the Downtown Franklin Association, visit its website at www.downtownfranklintn.com.
