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Shop Small First

By Abilene CVB on November 2, 2021

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Pink-Friday-Street-Banner-Abilene,KSWe've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?

Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.

“Aksent Boutique approached the CVB about celebrating Pink Friday," said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene CVB director. "It’s a fun new holiday that gives shoppers a jumpstart on their shopping and puts Abilene first.“

Black Friday is the largest shopping day of the year, but the sales and promotions from big box stores often overshadow the experiences that small businesses are focused on providing.

"Shopping Abilene not only helps local business owners, but it also allows for customers to walk away with their purchases. As many plan ahead for the holidays, shopping Abilene means you aren’t waiting for a delivery truck or shipping container to bring your gifts. The goal of the Abilene CVB is to generate economic growth through tourism and we hope many will see Abilene as a destination for their holiday shopping," she said. 

The goal on November 19th is to celebrate the businesses that are the backbone of our local communities, whether online or brick and mortar. Any small business can participate in Pink Friday.

“We know small businesses and the boutique retail industry have been hit hard this year. These stores often get overlooked on Black Friday, but these are the real businesses we need to be supporting this year, said Ashley Alderson, CEO, The Boutique Hub. "By creating Pink Friday and positioning it the week prior to Black Friday, we’re able to celebrate those businesses this holiday season and give them their own weekend to shine.”

Take the pledge!

When I Shop Local with a Local Store:

  • I support my community
  • I employ local families
  • I help build local parks and schools
  • I donate to local charities
  • I support the dreams of a business owner
  • I am served and supported

Shop Abilene

Pink Friday, November 19 Specials

  • The Cedar Hutch - 5th and Cedar - Receive 20% off your total purchase* on Pink Friday! *Vendor items do not apply.
  • Trollslända Toy Store- 109 NW 3rd - Open Friday. Enter to win two $20 gift cards. Open 10-7. 
  • Cypress Bridge Candle Co. - 110 NW 3rd - Shop holiday sales ranging from 20%-50% off. *Open for online shopping only until November 26.
  • RHV Hardware - 305 N Buckeye Ave - See store flier for specials!
  • Ortus Cafe & Gallery - 118 NW 2nd - Enjoy 20% off most stock including ornaments, mugs, t-shirts, coasters, incense, candles, crystals, and rocks. Discount not available on consigned art.
  • Aksent Boutique - 309 N Buckeye Ave - Shop at the "she shed" behind Aksent Boutique for 45% off*! Offer applies to both in-person and online. Open until 6 pm on Friday and Saturday from 10-3.
  • Hairtiques, The Gift Parlor, and Genny's 2.0 - 318 N Broadway - Stop in and enjoy a free sample of our New Chokecherry Margarita mix, along with free Coffee & Dunkers, and try a few prepared gourmet mixes all while enjoying 20% off all gifts!
  • Countrypolitan - 317 N Broadway St - 20% off storewide!
  • The Other Jones Store - 310 N Broadway St  - 20% off storewide
  • Rivendell Bookstore - 312 N Broadway St - 20% off storewide
  • Material Girls Quilt Shop - 306 N Buckeye Ave -  Shop specials storewide including clearance fabric - 1 yard or more $5/yard or Finish The Bolt for $4/yard.
  • The Shivering Sheep - 308 N Buckeye Ave - Save 20% on all regular priced yarn.  Clearance yarns are priced at 40% to 50% off.
  • NextHome Unlimited - 206 NW 2nd - Stop by to enter to win a $100 gift card to Flying Gypsy and other great prizes! 
  • Twiggstones - 115 NW 3rd - Enjoy 20 % off on all Jewelry, Minerals, Rocks, Slabs for Cabs and faceting rough.

Visit These Participating Businesses

  • Amanda's Bakery & Bistro
  • Aksent Boutique
  • Hairtiques, The Gift Parlor, and Genny's 20
  • Last Chance Graphics & Apparel
  • Pioneer Farm & Ranch
  • Ortus Cafe & Gallery
  • Twiggstones Lapidary & Jewelry
  • The Cedar Hutch
  • Trollslända - Toy Store
  • The Flower Box
  • Cypress Bridge Candle Co.
  • The Other Jones Store
  • Countrypolitan
  • Rivendell Bookstore
  • Material Girls Quilt Shop
  • Tossed n Sauced Pizza
  • RHV
  • Abilene Downtown Antiques
  • The Shivering Sheep
  • Bombshell Salon + Beauty

Help us, help you!

Have a special event or sale on Pink Friday? Please send us your information to share! Email updates to Julie@AbileneCityHall.com. 

News Stories

 

Metrics

  • 100 T-shirts Purchased, 1 over-the-street banner, social media campaign
  • AbileneKansas.org/PinkFriday website – 7,941 users (up 24.7%), 9,916 sessions (up 28.3%), 7,624 new users, 2.57 pages per session, 25,531 Pageviews. Primary cities: Abilene, Kansas City, Salina, Wichita, Manhattan, Chicago, Andover, Junction City and Overland Park.
  • Visit Abilene Kansas Facebook Page – 579 reactions, 152 shares of Pink Friday posts
  • City of Abilene Sales Tax Collections –monthly sales tax collections were up 45% from 2020 to 2021! *Data from the Kansas Department of Revenue 

Testimonials

  • “It is absolutely amazing,” Trollslända Owner Amy Howard said. “We’ve had so many people come in and out. It’s just been wonderful.”
  • “It means that we can keep our stores in town,” local shopper Teresa Weishaar said. “While it’s fun to go to a regional shopping area. It’s nice to be able to go downtown and buy a gift for a friend or family member or just something that you need.”