On November 29, 2025, Mayor Brandon M. Scott, in collaboration with Baltimore Main Streets, will launch Small Business Saturday with an expansive citywide shopping tour. This event is co-hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy and Development (SMBA&D).
This occasion celebrates the 16th Small Business Saturday, a movement initiated by American Express in 2010 and co-sponsored by the Small Business Administration since 2011. It takes place every year on the Saturday following Black Friday, aimed at raising awareness for small and local businesses worldwide.
“As I enter my fourth year of partnering with Baltimore Main Streets for Small Business Saturday, I find myself more inspired than ever by the determination and passion of our local entrepreneurs,” stated Charlyn Nater, director of Baltimore Main Streets. “Each purchase made in our community reinforces the foundation of our city’s future. Thank you for helping keep Baltimore vibrant and strong.”
This year’s festivities will commence at 10 a.m. at Harp Vision in Highlandtown. Throughout the day, Mayor Scott will explore various local businesses across the eight other Baltimore Main Streets. His tour will cover the vibrant Main Streets in Belair-Edison, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Hamilton-Lauraville, Park Heights, Pennsylvania Avenue, Pigtown, and Waverly.
“Our brick-and-mortar establishment is more than just a shop; it serves as a wellness and community hub,” remarked April and Tyron Harper, co-owners of Harp Vision. “When businesses like ours receive support, it empowers us to continuously invest in our neighborhoods, reminding everyone that wellness is not a luxury but a necessity.”
Christopher R. Lundy, Esq., director of SMBA&D, hopes that citizens will recognize the significance of supporting small, local enterprises year-round.
“Small Business Saturday serves as an important reminder to shop locally. The money spent here helps businesses like Harp Vision thrive and grow, transforming them into vital Main Street locations,” explained Lundy. “The SMBA&D team is dedicated to reminding you to support local small businesses and Baltimore as a whole throughout the year. Follow us on social media [@bmoresmbad] for updates and profiles of other fantastic local businesses to support.”
One highlight on the tour will be Pandora’s Box in Federal Hill. This Black-owned boutique, proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary, describes itself as a “lifestyle store” emphasizing the importance of representation. According to their website, they promote brands that “honor local designers, jewelry creators, and artisans while fostering social change, individuality, and happiness.”
Another significant stop will be at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Culture located in Park Heights. The museum is dedicated to educating children about authentic African history and culture, enhancing their understanding of the continent’s diverse physical and cultural landscapes. Its mission is to “foster global understanding through engagement with African art, cultures, geography, and history,” as stated on their website.
In Hamilton-Lauraville, Mayor Scott and his entourage will visit Keppel & Kismet, a charming gift shop offering an array of premium, small-batch items. The store’s founder, Nichole Sullivan, has gained recognition through features in Baltimore Beat and Open Works, and was a finalist in the 2023 Crab Tank Pitch Competition. The store champions local artisans, celebrating traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainable practices.
Mayor Scott, alongside SMBA&D and Baltimore Main Streets, encourages residents of Baltimore City to shop at local establishments and invest in their communities throughout the holiday season. Spread the word and share your Small Business Saturday experiences on social media using the hashtag #BMORE2BALTIMORE.
The complete list of businesses that Mayor Scott and his team will visit on Small Business Saturday includes the following:
- Harp Vision – 406 S Conkling St., Baltimore, MD 21224 (Highlandtown)
- The Sound Garden – 1616 Thames St., Baltimore, MD 21231 (Fell’s Point)
- Vintage Pop-up (hosted at Cross Street Market) – 1065 S Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21230 (Federal Hill)
- Pandora’s Box – 50 E Cross St., Baltimore, MD 21230 (Federal Hill)
- Culinary Architecture – 767 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230 (Pigtown)
- Hardware Plus – 2211 Pennsylvania Ave., Baltimore, MD 20217 (Pennsylvania Ave)
- Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Culture – 4330 Pimlico Rd., Baltimore, MD 21215 (Park Heights)
- Herman’s Discount Store – 3106 Greenmount Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218 (Waverly)
- JNB Beauty – 3237 Belair Rd., Baltimore, MD 21213 (Belair-Edison)
- Keppel and Kismet – 3015 Hamilton Ave Fl 1, Baltimore, MD 21214 (Hamilton-Lauraville)
