Trade Black Friday Frenzy for ‘Small Business Saturday’

After the peaceful togetherness of a Thanksgiving Day feast, committed shoppers strategize their attack on “Black Friday,” the traditional launch of seasonal shopping frenzy for big box retailers.  Mama’s House Thrift Shop & 12 Step Bookstore happily joins a new wave of more sustainable shopping consciousness with the ultimate sale on “Small Business Saturday,” November 24, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Mama’s House.

“Why fight the crowds and stress yourself out on Black Friday—when it’s more fun to support local businesses instead?” said Beth Mehau, Executive Director of The Pantry, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit serving community, supporting recovery, of which Mama’s House is a component.

“We’re inviting everyone to bring a friend and find blow-out bargains on Small Business Saturday at Mama’s House,” said Mehau.  We’ll have the coffeepot going all day; there will be a Holiday Boutique tent sale out front; and almost everything in the store is a dollar or less. Please, help us keep these great, usable items out of the landfill and save yourself some money too.  Plus, the money you spend is going right back into the community to support our programs.”

Mama’s House is located adjacent to NAPA Auto in Waimea.  The Small Business Saturday Sale happens 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with most items priced at $1 or less (not applicable to furniture, consignment or retail items and art).  Books, clothing, shoes, purses and more are only $10 a bag-full.  Plus there’s a Holiday Boutique tent sale out front.  Shop Local  and help support Mama’s good works for youth and adults in our community.

Local businesses are urged to join the movement and participate in Small Business Saturday sales and specials of their own.  For more information, contact: Beth Mehau at 887-2289, or visit Mama’s House Hawaii on Facebook.

Related articles

• Best Small Business Saturday Shopping in Puget Sound (seattle.cbslocal.com)
• Shouldice: After Black Friday, try Small Business Saturday (vtdigger.org)
• Celebrate Small Business Saturday at the City Center (timesunion.com)
• Retail employees fight “Black Friday creep” (cnn.com)

“Spooktacular Christmas Extravaganza” at Mama’s House

Mama’s House Thrift Shop and 12 Step Bookstore announces a new take on holiday shopping with the “Spooktacular Christmas Extravaganza” Saturday, October 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea.  Plus, as a gift to community members who send clothes to family off-island, Mama’s House is offering thousands of FREE clothing items for men, women and children.

Beth Mehau of Mama’s House

“We have so much,” said Beth Mehau, Executive Director of Mama’s House umbrella nonprofit The Pantry.  “And many people around the island send clothing items to their families in the Philippines, Guam, the Marshall Islands and elsewhere.  We’d be thrilled to give it away and keep this volume out of our landfills.”  According to Mehau, shipping costs to have the clothing sent through a donation program were in excess of $10,000.  “That’s too much, and there’s no reason to dump these perfectly usable things.  Please tell everyone to bring a bag and fill it up with whatever they need, because we have more than enough.”

In addition to the clothing giveaway, Mama’s House will feature a wide array of some new and many gently-used holiday items for sale—from Halloween costumes for children and adults, to Christmas decorations, holiday linens, lights, trees, toys and much more.  There will also be a selection of unique island arts and crafts for one-of-a-kind gifts.  (Crafters please call 887-2289).

At the “Spooktacular,” tickets will be available for another event, Ledward Ka’apana & Friends in Concert—a fundraiser for the ‘Ohana in the Arts at Waimea Artists’ Guild (WAG), Saturday, November 3, 2012 from 4-6 p.m. at Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter School.  Admission:  $15 adult, $9 youth 4-12, keiki 3 and under free, includes chili, rice, salad bar and beverages, live concert and Arts Market 10a.m.-4 p.m.  This is an alcohol/drug free event, project of The Pantry dba Waimea Artists’ Guild.

“Our ‘Spooktacular’ is the same day as Waimea Middle School’s Container Sale, Country Fair and Concert,” said Mehau, “and that makes it a wonderful day to come to Waimea, shop local for tons of great bargains, enjoy some music, get your tickets for the November third event, talk story with your neighbors, and work together to make ours a more sustainable community.”

The Pantry is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, of which Waimea Artists’ Guild and Mama’s House Thrift Store are components.  WAG is an association of professional artists whose intent is to produce art and promote education in their community.  The Guild was created by graduates of HOEA, the Hawaiian ‘Ohana for Education in the Arts, whose mission is to “increase the number, accessibility, and visibility of Native Hawaiian Arts and Artists.”  For additional information, contact: Beth or Tom Mehau at 887-2289, email waimeaartists@gmail.com or visit www.waimeaartistsguild.com .