By Andrea K. Hammer
During Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, Absecon merchants will enliven the holiday season along the New Jersey Avenue business district by offering discounts and special deals.
Absecon Blooms, Oddball Vintage, Joe & John’s Pizza & Restaurant as well as others will offer discounts on merchandise, restaurant deals, an outdoor flea market, free sweet treats and more.
The national event, which the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and American Express have co-sponsored since 2011, spotlights the significant contributions of enterprises with fewer than 500 employees. According to the SBA, small businesses create two out of three new jobs in the United States every year and employ more than 49% of all workers in New Jersey.
At Oddball Vintage in Absecon, distinctive, retro and hand-crafted items including clothing, dolls and bric-a-brac fill every corner of the cozy shop. In addition, an artists’ co-op provides artisans the rare opportunity to sell their work in a brick-and-mortar store. Participating jewelry makers and crafters display their unique creations such as beadwork and painted shells, in colorful stacked cubicles.
“I wanted to open a store with items that made me happy,” said Lori Huston, the vintage shop owner for more than a year and a crafter who also operates KutiePie Kitsch.
As a supportive business leader creating a welcoming sense of community for local artists in her store, Huston also sponsors flea markets for vendors and open-mic events.
“Community is the strongest part of our world,” said Sally Montufar, manager of Oddball Vintage. “Our store is a place for vendors to meet each other, and open mic is a safe environment to express their personality in a small, homey space.”
Across the street at Absecon Blooms, shoppers will enjoy a 20% discount in the gift shop and free sweet treats on Nov. 30. The store will also offer specials on selected items and free candy during each Saturday in December.
Besides beautiful flower arrangements and gifts for birthdays and special occasions, Absecon Blooms supports environmental causes, including ocean preservation, by donating a portion of sales from select items. Other products provide donations to animal welfare causes and rescues.
“We decided to open our shop to bring more to Absecon and New Jersey Avenue,” said Sarah Scheer, who has operated the store with her mother, Kathy English, for six months. After running a flower shop in Key Largo, Fla., for five years, they decided to return to their hometown where Kathy came out of retirement to open Absecon Blooms.
Another family-run business in Absecon, Joe & John’s Pizza & Restaurant, will join others displaying holiday gift baskets during Small Business Saturday. Taking the stress out of holiday shopping, wreaths, pillows and gift boxes will also be available in one convenient location during the Saturday events through December.
“We’ll have pizza and drink discounts,” said Dominic Pugliese, an employee of the longtime business in Absecon.
During the festivities, hot cocoa and snacks will also sustain shoppers along New Jersey Avenue.
The Absecon Business District is within walking distance of several public transit stops. Parking is conveniently located right near the shops.
To support the local economy, shop at small businesses in the area. Learn more at abseconblooms.net, oddballvintagenj.com and joeandjohnspizzaabsecon.com.
Andrea K. Hammer has published arts and business articles in local, regional, national and international publications. She is the founder and director of Artsphoria Publishing, Media Group & Store (artsphoriashop.com).
