Plaid Friday comes to Pittsfield: Supporting local & indie businesses!

Instead of standing in line for hours in the cold, waiting for those mega-superstores to open up, don your best plaid outfit, and stroll along North Street and enjoy Pittsfield’s locally owned shops, cafes and restaurants in downtown Pittsfield this Friday, November 26. It’s the civilized thing to do! Instead of rushing around, snatching bargain deals and fighting angry mobs – slow down and savor all the great things in our community, and the rich variety of locally owned stores and restaurants that contribute so much to the flavor and spirit of our region. Don’t get mad, get plaid!

The name Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses. Plaid Friday is the fun and enjoyable alternative to the big box store “Black Friday,” and is designed promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays. By wearing plaid on Friday, you’ll be showing your commitment to buy local and supporting your community. Every time you buy a gift in a locally owned business, you’re giving back to the local economy. And many downtown businesses are offering specials during Plaid Friday.

We encourage people to shop local and independent, and wear visible plaid (in any form!) to proclaim their love of the creativity and diversity of independent businesses in our community.

Plaid Friday originated in Oakland, California, and is designed to promote local and independently owned businesses during the holidays. One of the long term goals of Plaid Friday is to become a resource to make it easier for shoppers to find local businesses in every city across the nation. This year Pittsfield and Somerville in Massachusetts and other cities are joining the Plaid Friday movement, and even the Boston Globe has put in a good word for it!

And if you don’t yet own anything plaid, pick up a great plaid shirt at The Garden, plaid reading glasses at the Emporium, or wear your plaid pajamas!  It’s the fun and creative alternative to big businesses’ “Black Friday” – and it’s coming to downtown Pittsfield!