Holiday shopping, already?  It always sneaks up on me! You couldn’t entice me to shop on Black Friday, nor do I choose to order gifts via the internet on Cyber Monday. But, I would definitely venture out on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, to do a bit of shopping.
 According to Wikipedia, Small Business Saturday was conceived and promoted by American Express in 2010 to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize small, local, independent businesses. It has become a tradition, and one consumers heartily embrace. It’s even more important now with the pandemic.
Before you “click to check out” on Amazon, consider the plight of local businesses that were already struggling to compete with Amazon ahead of the lockdown. Consider that they pay local taxes which benefits our community. Does Amazon help our local economy? The answer is a resounding NO! In fact, aside from tax avoidance (they make billions of dollars but paid no federal income tax for two years in a row), Amazon has a dubious track record on many issues including workers’ rights and the environment. So, do you really need to make that purchase on Amazon or can you use your money in a way that benefits the community? Shopping locally and early will help secure jobs, too.
If you have not been shopping in downtown Norwood recently, you might want to give it a try. Despite a few empty storefronts, there are a number of vital businesses just waiting to give you the personal service that is missing at the mall and on-line. In fact, there are more than 100 shops within a 16-block radius that would welcome your business.
A gift certificate to Norwood Sport Center would be most welcome for the candlepin bowling enthusiast on your list. Better yet, why not gather up the family and plan an outing? Growing up, it was one of my favorite family activities!  (Call 781-769-0606 for hours.)
These businesses are only a few of the offerings in downtown Norwood. There are also many choices for health and beauty services including hair stylists like Anthony’s Salon on Day Street open Wednesday through Saturday, as well as nail salons, skin care and massage therapy, such as Move Well Physical Therapy.
But holiday shopping is not what sustains a business, and many Norwood businesses are available for your everyday needs such as prescriptions and other pharmacy items offered by the Norwood Pharmacy on Broadway who says that they accept all Medicare-D plans and Masshealth and offer lower prices than CVS or Walgreens, and more specialized services such as the state-of-the art A&E Driving School which is licensed by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and offers driver training for all ages.
If food isn’t what you are looking for, how about a promise for future tickets to a production at the Norwood Theater when it finally opens. That would be something wonderful to look forward to! For gift giving, Charles River Running supplies an abundance of footwear and apparel, Chelala Jewelry & Gifts supplies, owned and operated by Norwood residents, offers beautiful gifts starting at $20, and Brenner’s Children’s Shop can outfit the little ones for the holidays.
Norwood offers an abundance of restaurants, from breakfast, coffee and sandwich shops to American, pizza and pub offerings, as well as Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Italian cuisine.  Perhaps a gift certificate for a culinary “date” is the answer for that person who has everything. Or maybe you want to treat yourself and have a hankering for frozen yogurt or a yummy Acai bowl. In that case you might want to try the Orange Leaf on Vanderbilt Avenue. Call ahead to place your order or opt for delivery via doordash, UberEats or Grubhub.
If food isn’t what you are looking for, how about a promise for future tickets to a production at the Norwood Theater when it finally opens. That would be something wonderful to look forward to! Have a favorite picture of a friend or family? How about putting it in a frame at Custom Art & Framing? Or how about opening an savings account or CD for a child or grandchild at Norwood Bank? It may be practical, but they will thank you some day!
Small business owners pride themselves on their personal service. We don’t get that at the malls. And we certainly don’t get it shopping on line. But, one day of sales is not going to sustain any business. Small Business Saturday is a great idea, but if we want to help our downtown and local businesses grow and thrive, we need to patronize them regularly. So, shop locally and often, not just on Small Business Saturday. It’s a win for them and for us when we do!!
Whether you are looking for someplace to eat, shop, or get pampered, there are many goods and services available to you in Norwood. For a list of local businesses, visit the Friends of Norwood Center Facebook page at https://www.norwoodcenter.org/