The Hammonton Gazette 11/17/21 Edition | Page 5

Page 4 • Wednesday , November 17 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette town looking forward to upcoming holiday season

eVeNts , from Page 1 “ We will have 12 wreaths that will be decorated by 12 different businesses . People can go around and check them out , and they can go in the stores to enter to win those wreaths ,” Iacovelli said .
In 2020 , Iacovelli said , the winners were announced during December ’ s Third Thursday , but the decision will be made earlier this year .
“ That ’ s so close to Christmas that the wreaths don ’ t have that freshness to them . We ’ ll probably be making that decision by the second week of December . I ’ m very grateful to the White Dog Tree Farm . They were wonderful last year , and they agreed to donate the 12 wreaths — and I ’ ve already identified the 12 businesses that have signed up . Everything will be up and running by mid- November ,” Iacovelli said .
Next , Iacovelli said , is Third Thursday , which falls on November 18 .
“ We came up with a new theme , and it ’ s going to be a customer appreciation day , and it ’ s based on gratitude and being grateful . It ’ s another celebration to say to our customers that we appreciate their support ,” Iacovelli said .
The next event on the calendar is Small Business Saturday , which will take place on November 27 .
“ That ’ s your traditional Small Business Saturday . We will do ‘ I Shop Small .’ The focus will be on shopping local , enticing the people with unique specials that will promote and market . That gets a tremendous buy-in from the community . It ’ s truly a retail marketing opportunity that we capitalize on ,” Iacovelli said .
Jana Sliwecki , the owner of Rejuvenation Day Spa , said that Small Business Saturday is “ the perfect opportunity to shop small and local .”
“ It ’ s so important to support your local small business on this day and all year long . We depend on the patronage form our friends and family in our community to make it through the tough times ,” Sliwecki said .
Sliwecki said that she was particularly impressed by the support of her spa during the pandemic .
“ I am extremely grateful to be a part of this incredible town . We are all family here . I ’ ve lived and raised my family here and am honored to own a business in this thriving community . Please consider shopping local this holiday season and throughout the year . We depend on you more than you could ever imagine ,” Sliwecki said .
Kelly Brown , the owner of Tales of the Olive , said that Small Business Saturday is a very important day for her shop .
“ It ’ s a very productive and successful day . Since we were established in 2016 , we ’ ve done very well here , even last year during the pandemic . We ’ ve been very
blessed as far as that . It also is a great time for people to get out , especially locals and from all over , the different communities that come out . It ’ s a win-win day . Our customers like to come out , and they ’ re looking for sales and giveaways , so that ’ s always fun . It ’ s great for us to see old faces and new faces and make new friends and new customers ,” Brown said .
Brown said that Small Business Saturday helps to begin the holiday shopping season .
“ Especially this year , it ’ s a nice way for people to come out , shop and eat at the restaurants here . We appreciate the customers who support Small Business Saturday and throughout the year . There ’ s more of a connection when people shop small , and we enjoy it . We really do . It ’ s a nice day ,” Brown said .
The next weekend , on December 4 , the annual tree-lighting ceremony will once more be held in-person .
“ We ’ re kind of excited , because this year ’ s going to be a little different . I don ’ t know how we top see tO DO , Page 19