This holiday season, Haddonfield will host two events focused on kick-starting shopping in the borough’s downtown business district.
With both Candlelight Shopping and the borough’s fourth annual Small Business Saturday beginning on Friday, Nov. 29, festivities will begin with the ceremonial tree lighting, which will take place at the Borough Holiday Tree at Library Point at 6 p.m.
The tree lighting will be followed by a parade to Kings Court, led by Santa Claus.
Live entertainment will also be provided throughout the night by musical performers, including the Pick Up Band, Essential Brass Quartet, Pine Barons and Shades of Harmony. Carriage rides will also be available.
Small Business Saturday in Haddonfield will continue every day from Nov. 29 to Sunday, Dec. 1, and will also feature live entertainment and horse-drawn carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30.
In addition, businesses in the downtown shopping district will be hosting an array of special incentives during this time, including trunk shows and purchase discounts.
“When we all shop small, it really does have a huge impact,” said Remi Fortunato, retail coordinator for the Partnership for Haddonfield. “That’s why we’re excited to extend our Small Business Saturday to the entire weekend. Not only will you find the ‘perfect gift’ at one of our downtown’s 200 distinctive shops, restaurants or boutiques, but you’ll also help fuel the local economy while enjoying a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.”
Mayor Jeff Kasko also said that extending Small Business Saturday over the span of three days is a new initiative for the event, which is entering its fourth year.
“It’s a natural fit for towns like us,” Kasko said.
Following Nov. 29, Candlelight Shopping will also be held in Haddonfield every Friday night until Dec. 20 and feature in-store events, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment and Santa Claus from 6 to 9 p.m. in Kings Court.
The borough will also be hosting its own promotion, offering 10 percent off all Haddonfield Townwide Gift Certificates from 11 a.m. on Nov. 29 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 21. The gift certificates can be used at stores and restaurants in Haddonfield and can be purchased at the Haddonfield Information Center, located at 2 Kings Court, or online at www.downtownhaddonfield.com.
According to the Downtown Haddonfield website, the Haddonfield Townwide Gift Certificates are accepted at more than 200 retail businesses and more than 600 professional offices town-wide.
“It’s grown over the years, with the number of businesses that participate,” Kasko said. “It’s been very successful.”
Kasko explained that the idea behind promotional events and initiatives in the borough are to help attract new customers to Haddonfield’s businesses, while still maintaining repeat customers.
He explained that the Partnership for Haddonfield receives informal feedback from the businesses to determine what initiatives are successful in bringing business to Haddonfield.
To further promote Haddonfield’s business district, Kasko said all parking in the borough is free from Nov. 29 to Dec. 25.
Following Small Business Saturday and Candlelight Shopping, Kasko said the borough would also host First Night Haddonfield, a New Year’s Eve celebration, on Tuesday, Dec. 31.
“I think it’s a good event for people who have food and drink businesses,” Kasko said.
In addition, Kasko said the borough intends to keep the holiday lights up in the downtown area through January to keep the borough festive following the holidays.
He also attributed the success of many of the borough’s shopping initiatives in the past 10 years to the Partnership for Haddonfield.
“It’s a great thing. It’s working and it’s moving Haddonfield forward as a shopping destination,” Kasko said.
