Bay Village, Rocky River, Westlake abound with local shopping opportunities: West Shore Chatter

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — If you want to avoid crowded stores and the busy mall, consider doing your holiday shopping locally, at one of the many unique businesses in Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake.

Many local merchants can offer specialty items not available through larger outlets. And your money stays in the community to support businesses that still may be struggling as the coronavirus pandemic lingers.

There are many options in Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake. Consider BAYarts and the many unique gift ideas created by local artists. In Rocky River, there are many one-of-a-kind shops in the Old River Shopping Area, which will have its popular Holiday Walk from 1 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. Many homegrown, local businesses also call Westlake home.

No matter what kind of gift you’re looking for, a local business can help. There are beauty salons, barber shops, jewelry stores, boutiques, frame shops that can put a finishing touch on a special photo or picture, antique shops, bookstores, pet stores, bakeries, delis, pizzerias, restaurants, auto repair shops, meat markets/butcher shops, shoe stores, local photographers who can take a family portrait or capture a special moment and more.

Small Business Saturday, which traditionally takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving — Nov. 27 this year — encourages consumers to support local businesses by shopping small.

The initiative was launched by American Express during the 2010 recession in an effort to direct shoppers to local businesses. Now, Small Business Saturday is observed in every state. The U.S. Senate approved a resolution in 2011 designating the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday.

Last year, nationwide the U.S. Small Business Administration reported that Americans spent nearly $20 billion on Small Business Saturday.

According to data released by American Express, for every dollar spent at a small business, an average of 67 cents stays in that business’ local community. As businesses continue struggling to navigate the COVID-19 landscape, shopping local could make a big difference in their bottom line.

Shopping local doesn’t have to mean physically going into a store. Many businesses have an online shopping component.

Check with the Rocky River Chamber of Commerce and West Shore Chamber of Commerce — which serves Bay Village and Westlake — for information on local merchants.

And, if possible, consider supporting a small, local business this holiday shopping season.

Tree sale: Don’t forget that the Bay Village Kiwanis annual Christmas tree sale begins Friday (Nov. 26) in Cahoon Park. The sale runs through Dec. 12, or whenever the trees are all sold.

Tree selection includes 6- to 11-foot Fraser, Canaan, Balsam and Douglas firs and Colorado spruces. Prices start at $55, depending on the type and height of the tree.

Weekend hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays and 9 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Cash, checks and credit cards (with a $2 user fee) are accepted for payment.

Free delivery is available in Bay Village (donations are welcome). There is a $10 fee for delivering to surrounding communities.

Citizen Police Academy: Applications are being accepted through Dec. 7 for the 11th annual Rocky River Citizen Police Academy, which will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 or 10 p.m. Jan. 11, 2022, through April 12, 2022, at the Rocky River Police Department. The program will end with a graduation ceremony on April 12.

Topics covered include RRPD special services, an overview of the municipal and common pleas courts, crime prevention, internet safety, domestic violence and stalking, firearms, use of force, police legitimacy and procedural justice, crime scene investigations/processing, drug abuse and more.

Goals of the academy are to provide a basic understanding of the operation of the RRPD, provide insight into police work, provide a clearer understanding of citizens’ role in assisting law enforcement, help citizens feel comfortable communicating with police and city officials, and strengthen the partnership between the police and the community.

Applicants must be 21 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, be a resident of Rocky River, work in the city or otherwise be part of the Rocky River community, have no pending criminal charges or civil cases, have no felony convictions and have personal character consistent with community standards.

Applications are available at the Rocky River Police Department, Rocky River City Hall or by email by request to Police Chief George Lichman, [email protected].

Space at the academy is limited.

Direct questions to Lichman at [email protected], call 440-799-8208 or stop by the police department.

At the library: Here are some of the programs offered during the coming week at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake. All programs are subject to change. Check westlakelibrary.org or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter (@WestlakePorter) for the latest updates.

• The American Girl Doll Club will meet at 2 p.m. Sunday (Nov. 28). Participants will talk about space, play games and do a theme-related craft. The program is for ages 6-10 and registration is requested.

• There will be a family-friendly indoor movie night at 6:30 p.m. (Monday) Nov. 29. Check with the library for the title. Registration is required.

• The Horror Film Club will gather at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 . Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The film can be watched in person or online at Watch2Gether.com. Links will be posted for those streaming the day of the program. Registration is required.

• The library will host an American Red Cross Bloodmobile from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2.

To register for any of the programs, visit westlakelibrary.org/events.

Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. from Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake for the West Shore Chatter column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to [email protected].

Read more from the West Shore Sun.

Maria Flores

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