Sometimes the best way to make big change is by thinking small. That’s the idea behind Small Business Saturday, an initiative started by American Express to shine a spotlight on smaller retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues that are the backbone of the economy. Scheduled as an alternative to the big box store melee of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday falls on November 26 this year. So for at least one day, log off of the internet shopping sites, eschew the huge crowds at megastores, support your community, and check out these smaller independent options in Nashville.

Midtown
Shop Black is a group that brings together Black-owned businesses to showcase their wares in front of large groups of shoppers, and they have held more than 50 pop-up events around the area over the past three years. November 26 and 27 is the finale of a six-city tour where they have been connecting shoppers with vendors, and they’re celebrating with a big Small Business Weekend at the Scarritt Bennett Center on Vanderbilt’s campus. The event will run from 1 pm until 6 pm each day with music, food, shopping and networking opportunities for anyone looking to support the Black business community. Admission is free.

Bellevue
If you’re looking for something crafty to check a few names off of your holiday shopping list, head to Red Caboose Park in Bellevue for this curated…