Category: ShopLocal

Small Business Saturday

Debbie Roney Smith on

Small Business Saturday is an annual holiday that celebrates small businesses and encourages consumers to shop locally at independently-owned businesses. It was founded in 2010 by American Express, and has grown into an event that rivals Black Friday and Cyber Monday – both annual shopping holidays that put big conglomerates over locally-owned businesses. Small Business Saturday draws attention to the importance of small businesses on local and national economies. This year it is more important than ever to support this annual event; small businesses were hit hard throughout the pandemic and are still closing at an alarming rate! Meanwhile, big-box retailers are seeing record-high sales and have been for well over a year. So visit town today, get started on holiday shopping, and support your community! 

Black Friday or Buy Nothing

Debbie Roney Smith on

The widely popular holiday Black Friday is just two days away. 

However, Black Friday is not the only event occurring on November 26th – it is also Buy Nothing Day in the United States. Black Friday can be a great opportunity to save money on holiday gifts or expensive investments like new computers but can also encourage needless spending and competitive shopping that can lead to physical harm. Buy Nothing Day is a movement started by artist Ted Dave in 1992, and is an international day of protest against consumerism and the harm it causes to individuals, communities, and the environment. 

 

Great Gulfcoast Art Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is the last day to score one-of-a-kind holiday gifts at the annual Great Gulfcoast Art Festival. Over 200 artisans will be displaying their creations: pottery, jewelry design, painting, woodworking, glass, sculptures, and more will be available. Other festival highlights include live music, food, performances by local dancers and folk groups, craft demos of traditional trade skills like blacksmithing and spinning in the Heritage Arts Area, and the Student Art Show. Visit Seville Square Park in Pensacola today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy the last day of this amazing Art Festival. 

Happy Birthday Black Dog Cafe!

Debbie Roney Smith on

Congratulations on 24 years of female-owned excellence, Black Dog Cafe! The Cafe is giving back to celebrate their birthday today, November 1st, by offering a free coffee when customers bring in a donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. Black Dog is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and offers a wide selection of coffee, drinks, pastries, and frozen treats; everything is sustainably and locally sourced. Some come out to Lake Ella today to enjoy the lovely weather, great drinks, and do some good for the community!

Second Harvest Food Bank accepts donations of non-perishable food items, and would like to draw attention to their most needed items:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Grains
  • Protein Foods
  • Dairy/Dairy Alternatives
  • Canned Meals (ex: soups, chowders, and chili)
  • Nutritional drinks (ex: Ensure, Boost)
  • Baby Food
  • Non-food Items (ex: diapers, toiletries)

Visit their official website here to view a detailed list or learn more about the organization. 

Pumpkins in Marianna

Debbie Roney Smith on

Come down to Madison Street Park this Saturday, October 23rd, to enjoy the farmer’s market and a pumpkin patch. Marianna Farmer’s Market, open most Saturdays, is partnering with Main Street Marianna to bring “Pumpkins in the Park.” Children get a free pumpkin, and there will be a decoration station for those interested. Additionally, there will be food trucks, a pumpkin carving contest, door prizes, face painting, and more! There is no entry fee, and the event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hope to see you there for some family-friendly fall fun! 

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival

Debbie Roney Smith on

Coming this weekend to Miramar Beach is the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival! For its 33rd year, ArtsQuest juried art show is scheduled to occur Saturday, October 9, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, October 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month.

The show will feature over 150 artists in the following disciplines: Ceramics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Metal, Mixed Media, Oils & Acrylics, Original Digital Art, Photography, Sculpture, Wood and Works on Paper (Watercolor, Printmaking, Pastels, Pencils, Ink).

ArtsQuest will be awarding $10,000 in cash prizes, and is a rain or shine outdoor event. The festival is open to the public, although a $5 admission donation is requested to help keep the event going. There will be food vendors on site. Additionally, they are looking for volunteers. For more information on anticipated artists, volunteer opportunities, and more, visit the ArtsQuest website. 

International Coffee Day

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that coffee has been around since the 15th century? In this modern day-and-age, coffee is celebrated nationally in the U.S.A. on September 29th and internationally on October 1st. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is responsible for the international recognition of Coffee Day as of 2015. The U.S. has been celebrating nationally since 2005. Thanks to these annual events, awareness and appreciation of the art of sustainable coffee has grown.

Spanish Trail Pumpkin Patch

Debbie Roney Smith on

Local favorite farm, Spanish Trail, is hosting a few special fall events this coming month. They will have a 2021 Pumpkin Patch with thousands of pumpkins, a 10-acre corn maze, and wonderful sunflower fields to meander through. This special bundle of fall favorites will open on October 2nd at 10 a.m. and will run the whole month. Bring out the family for a fun fall-themed day! Visit their Facebook page for more details and to stay up-to-date on changes and alerts.

Business Women

Debbie Roney Smith on
Debbie Roney-Smith

Today is America Business Women’s Day, celebrated annually on September 22nd to mark the founding date of the American Business Women’s Association. Created in 1949, this day is designed “to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership; education, networking support and national recognition.” It was officially recognized in 1983, and thrives to this day as female entrepreneurship flourishes in the 21st century. Below are just three of many local women-owned businesses to support today:

Our very own Debbie Roney-Smith with American Gold Realty, located in Marianna, FL. Debbie offers specialized information gained from over 20yrs living and enjoying the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas. With 25yrs of realtor experience, Debbie is a wonderful choice for your future buying, selling, and renting needs!

Black Dog Cafe. Located in Tallahassee, FL. Women-owned for over 20yrs, this cafe offers excellent customer service, locally sourced baked goods, sustainable coffee, and more! 

Florida Star Nurseries & Supply. Located in Marianna, FL. This is a local contractor who has been operating for almost 40yrs. They specialize in landscaping, nursery plants & trees, nursery equipment, and more! 

Tallahassee Nurseries

Debbie Roney Smith on

Did you know that indoor plants offer both physical and psychological benefits to humans who own them? The benefits of houseplants are:

  • Boosts indoor air quality
  • Promotes exercise
  • Encourages healthy eating
  • Improves mood
  • Relieves stress and anxiety
  • Helps prolong attention span
  • Boosts self-esteem
  • And More!!!

This means the ongoing 2-for-1 houseplant sale at Tallahassee Nurseries is a wonderful opportunity to improve the well-being of your household! From now until September 2nd, or until supplies run out, the garden center will be selling 2-for-1 of equal-or-lesser value houseplants; rare plants and orchids are not included, despite being indoor plants.