Shop Till You Drop
Shop Fishers Returns Nov. 26 With Deals & Promotions Through Dec. 31
Writer / Renée Larr
Photographer / Amy Payne
With the holiday shopping season quickly approaching, what better way to support the City of Fishers than by shopping local during the Shop Fishers 2022 event? Shopping local helps to support local businesses, keeps money local, creates local jobs, supports nonprofits, creates personal connections and is cost-effective for shoppers.
The Shop Fishers 2022 fall and winter event begins Nov. 26 and runs through Dec. 31. Residents shop and dine local while enjoying special deals and promotions at businesses throughout the city. Last year, a record number of more than 70 different businesses participated.
“Last year, we had a record turnout of participating businesses,” says Stephanie Perry, Assistant Director, Community & Public Relations for the City of Fishers. “We hope to meet or increase that number this year. It’s always an array of different types of businesses that participate. We have everything from home and garden, home improvement, home decor, boutiques, restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, spas and salons. They always have great discounts or deals on items in-store or gift card deals, which are great ideas for holiday stocking stuffers.”
There are typical brick-and-mortar type businesses involved every year, but in the last few years, Perry says the event has also seen an increase in online or e-commerce businesses. She says it’s a great way to support local businesses that residents might not see daily throughout their city travels.
Fishers Woodworking is an online retailer of custom tables for outdoor barbecues, Kamado, Big Green Egg, RecTeq, grills and smokers. Owner Michael Cook is participating for the third year in a row. He describes Fishers Woodworking as a hybrid business with orders placed online but hand-built in his shop at home. He says this allows his customers to see examples of the products and get scheduled on the build calendar. The longtime Fishers resident says his business is offering the “ShopFishers” discount code valid for $100 off any custom BBQ table from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31.
“I love participating each year,” Cook says. “It really is a win-win opportunity for business owners and customers alike. I love the chance to introduce new customers to my business and welcome back repeat clients. Likewise, customers can support a local business often while taking advantage of a Shop Fishers discount.”
For the second year in a row, the Shop Fishers event is celebrating Giving Tuesday on Nov. 29 so residents can support local businesses while also giving back to nonprofits around the Fishers community, too. Last year, a select number of companies partnered with 16 local nonprofits to donate a portion of their sales that day.
Holyn Alexander, Brand Manager for Unplug Soy Candles, says their business participates because they thrive off of small business energy. They love the community and relationships that come with having a small business. She says the event is a great way for them to engage locally, learn, and grow more within the community. Unplug Soy Candles is offering a Free Gold Tin candle ($13 value) with any purchase over $75.
Shop Fishers has doubled in size over the last five years. Perry adds that each year the participants see record sales numbers throughout the event. She says it’s a testament to how much the community has rallied around local businesses.
“These business owners are part of the fabric of our community,” Perry says. “They’re our neighbors, friends and entrepreneurs who have been greatly affected the last few years due to COVID-19. The last few years have been more important than ever that our community rallies behind them and shows our support for our local restaurants and shops. It’s a wonderful opportunity as a resident to knock out your holiday shopping and enjoy some great deals you can’t find any other time throughout the year while also knowing that you’re supporting a local business. You’re putting the money right back into our community.”
Wishes Dance Studio opened in Fishers in 2004, and owner Kelley Richards says the event is great exposure for her studio. Wishes Dance Studio offers classes for babies up to high school-aged students. They are offering a buy one month of classes and receive another month for free promotion.
“The participating businesses are spread throughout the city, not just the downtown corridor,” Perry says. “We ensure to include all the businesses residents know and love along with some businesses they might not have heard about or are new to the area.”
Greg Glaros, the owner of Handel’s, says he’s participated since the beginning of the Shop Fishers event. He says his company strives to stay connected with its customers and the city of Fishers. The city promotes Handel’s during the busy shopping season and helps to drive customers to his store. Handel’s is offering two small waffle cones for $8 beginning Small Business Saturday and running through the end of the year.
Be sure to follow the City of Fishers on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and #ShopFishers for social media giveaways leading up to and during the event. For a full list of businesses participating and to get more information, visit thisisfishers.com/shop-fishers/.
