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Pink Friday in Abilene: Shop Small, Shop Local, Support Big Dreams!

By Abilene CVB on November 3, 2023

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The holiday season is almost upon us, and Abilene is gearing up for Pink Friday - a holiday that encourages shoppers to Shop Local First. This exciting initiative, inspired by the Boutique Hub, is set to make Friday, November 17, a day of community, connection, and celebration that puts a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience. 

The Birth of Pink Friday 

In 2021, Jamie Stroda of Aksent Boutique first introduced the idea of Pink Friday to Abilene. This national holiday shopping event sounded like a fantastic way to create positive publicity while supporting local businesses. Julie Roller Weeks, the Director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, shared, "We were recovering from decreased visitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was a good chance for positive publicity, so we ran with it."

The Power of Shopping Local 

Shopping in Abilene is more than just a transaction; it's a commitment to your community. When you choose to shop in Abilene, you're not only supporting local business owners, but you're also enjoying the immediate satisfaction of walking away with your purchases. With the holiday season fast approaching, shopping locally means you won't be left waiting for delivery trucks or shipping containers to bring your gifts.

Julie Roller Weeks emphasized, "The goal of the Abilene CVB is to generate economic growth through tourism, and we hope many will see Abilene as a destination for their holiday shopping." Abilene is not just a place; it's an experience waiting to be explored, and your support will make a significant difference.

Join the Pink Friday Movement 

To make your Pink Friday shopping experience more delightful, a list of participating businesses will be shared at www.AbileneKansas.org/PinkFriday. If you're a business looking to be part of this exciting day, don't hesitate to reach out. You can email your special activities to [email protected] and become a vital part of this special day.

Shoppers - Take the Pledge! 

When you shop local with a local store, you're not just making a purchase; you're making a statement:

  • You support your community.
  • You employ local families.
  • You help build local parks and schools.
  • You contribute to local charities.
  • You support the dreams of a business owner.
  • You are served and supported by a community that cares.

This holiday season, let's come together, paint the town pink, and support the dreams of our local businesses. Abilene is waiting to welcome you to Pink Friday, where small acts of shopping can lead to big impacts in our community. Mark your calendars for November 17 and make this holiday season truly special! 

Shop Abilene

2023 Participating Businesses​

  • Aksent Boutique - shop in-store and online specials and register for special Pink Friday Giveaways!
  • Hairtiques, The Gift Parlor & Genny's 2.0 -  HALF OFF DAY! 50% off ANY AND ALL GIFTS TODAY and HALF PRICE DIRTY SODAS
  • Abilene Downtown Antique Mall and Mud Creek Antiques - select sales throughout the stores
  • Gift Shop in the Orange House on Cedar Street - 803 N. Cedar (Neighbor to Neighbor) will have a drawing for a gift basket. Stop by between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to shop!
  • Midwest Snowcones and Creamery - Check out our gift card special for Pink Friday, November 17th! One day only, for every $20.00 purchased in gift cards, get another $5.00 in gift cards! Come out and support all the local businesses in Abilene! We will be open from 2:00 - 8:00 PM!
  • AHS Singers - The AHS singers will host a garage sale on Friday from 2-7 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. to raise money for their upcoming trip to Carnegie Hall in New York. The sale will take place at the National Guard Armory, 619 N Rogers St. 
  • Cypress Bridge - open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with 50% off decor and candles!
  • Wilkens Acres - All food items will be 10% OFF from 9am to 4pm. At 4pm the store will close in order to get ready to reopen at 5pm. From 5-7pm there will be gift bundles, decorations, ornaments, foods for the occasion. Samples will be available to tickle your taste buds !! Don’t miss out on these amazing Kansas products for the season.
  • The Cedar Hutch - open 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. with 25% off!

Help us, help you!

Have a special event or sale on Pink Friday? Please send us your information to share! Email updates to [email protected].