PITTSFIELD -- Downtown Pittsfield Inc. is encouraging people to shop local this Black Friday weekend, and all the way up to Christmas Eve.
Shoppers can now pick up a Downtown Pittsfield Passport at various theaters, retailers, and restaurants across downtown Pittsfield. With each purchase they make at one of the 35 participating local businesses, people will receive a sticker for their passport. Participants will be entered into the running for three prize packages, valued at $500, $300 and $200 and composed of donations from the local businesses.
Bottomless Bricks was bustling Saturday morning. Children and their parents sorted through bins of Lego parts, filling plastic bags with axles, tiles and plates of every size and color.
"It's the store's second holiday season and second year participating in the passport program," said owner Erin Laundry.
"I have a bunch of friends who are participating, like Tarah's Truffles and Witch Slapped and Hot Harry's. It's fun to have this collective way to encourage people to keep coming into our stores throughout the holiday season," Laundry said.
Laundry donated a $25 store gift card for the prize packages. It joins gift cards from Dory & Ginger, the Plant Connector and Berkshire Fitness and Wellness, and six movie passes from the Beacon Cinema, among other donations.
On North Street, people can make progress on their holiday shopping lists at Thistle & Thorn Floral, Bomb Shack Vintage and Dory & Ginger -- and collect stickers along the way. When it's time to break from browsing, they can add another sticker to their passport at Marketplace Cafe or Espetinho Carioca.
"We had a big day yesterday and hope for an even bigger day today," Tierney said.
Laurie Tierney at Dory & Ginger said business has been busy since Black Friday -- they sold out of multiple items yesterday.
Shoppers have also been in-and-out of the Plant Connector, taking advantage of their 15 percent sale for the Black Friday weekend.
"Our main thing is that if you buy your pot and your plant from us, we pot it for you," said co-owner Bonnie Marks. They also re-pot plants as they grow and advise you what plants are best suited to your home.
The shop specializes in house plants although it sells everything from mugs to ornaments to bulk shampoo and conditioner.
In addition to 35 local businesses participants may collect bonus stickers during events such as Wreath Art Auction Lichtenstein Center Dec 6 Photo Ops Santa Dunham Mall Dec 7 Pittsfield Farmers Market
Once shoppers collected stickers submit passports Downtown Pittsfield Inc mailbox 431 North St Passports must submitted Jan 5 2025