Small Business Saturday 2026 is Saturday, November 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it is the one shopping day of the year built entirely around the small, family-owned shops that give Delaware County its character. Started by American Express in 2010 and cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011, the day is a simple idea: skip the big-box rush and spend your holiday dollars where your neighbors work. Here is a friendly guide to the best shop-small spots near Boothwyn and Upper Chichester, from Chichester Avenue to Media's State Street.
What Is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday always lands on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which puts it on November 28, 2026, right between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. American Express founded the day in 2010 as a way to rally shoppers behind local businesses, and the U.S. Small Business Administration has cosponsored it since 2011. Towns across Delaware County take it seriously: the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce publishes a roundup of participating communities, and the county itself promotes a Shop Local, Shop Small message every year. The SBA's Small Business Saturday page has the official background if you want the full story.
Start Close to Home: Boothwyn and Upper Chichester
You do not have to leave Upper Chichester to shop small. Produce Junction at 2635 Chichester Avenue is a local institution for fresh produce and seasonal goods, and J&J Designs at 3390 Chichester Avenue is a family-run design and gift shop in the heart of Boothwyn. Planet Green Thrift Store at 2800 Chichester Avenue and Fascination in Fabrics at 3008 Larkin Road round out the homegrown options, and Booths Corner Farmers Market, just down Naamans Creek Road, is packed with local merchants on Fridays and Saturdays. For the full market rundown, the farmers market guide on this blog has the details.
If you are new to the area and still deciding which corner of Upper Chichester feels like home, the Upper Chichester community guide and the Boothwyn community guide cover the neighborhoods, schools, and parks that pair with a good shop-local day.
Media's State Street: Everybody's Hometown
About 12 miles up I-95, Media is the Delaware County seat and a natural Small Business Saturday destination. State Street is a compact, walkable shopping district with brick sidewalks, and the SEPTA Route 101 trolley still runs right down the middle of it, which locals like to point out makes Media the last suburban town in America with a trolley on its main street. Media was also the first Fair Trade Town in the United States back in 2006, and the borough has been named a Small Business Saturday Neighborhood Champion in recent years, marking the day with complimentary kettle corn and holiday caroling on State Street.
For independent shops, start with Per Lei Boutique at 2 E State Street, Bizzy's Baby Boutique at 32 W State Street, and Bookish Notions at 11 E State Street, then browse the consignment stalls at Magic Threads inside the Media Town Mall at 211 W State Street. The Visit Media PA Small Business Saturday page posts the day's lineup as it is announced.
Swarthmore: Bookshops and the Village
Swarthmore's compact village around Park Avenue and Chester Road is another great shop-small stop, especially if books are on your list. Celia Bookshop at 102 Park Avenue is an independent bookstore with a loyal following, and the Swarthmore Campus & Community Store at 4 S Chester Road sells college gear, gifts, and everyday essentials with proceeds that support local programs. The Friends of the Swarthmore Public Library run a book shop at 121 Park Avenue where every purchase supports the library. It is a small, walkable loop that makes a lovely afternoon.
Lansdowne: Shop Small on Lansdowne Avenue
Farther up the line, Lansdowne's business district is a shop-small powerhouse. The Lansdowne Business & Professional Association promotes specials at restaurants and retail shops along Lansdowne and Plumstead Avenues, and the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation runs A Bit of the Arts, a holiday fine-art show and sale at the 20th Century Club at 84 S Lansdowne Avenue, timed to the Black Friday and Small Business Saturday weekend. The borough also hosts a Winter Market and Holiday Parade, with details on the Shop Lansdowne events page. Pair the shopping with a walk down Baltimore Avenue, and the Lansdowne dining crawl post on this blog maps the restaurants along the way. For the deeper story on the borough itself, the Lansdowne community guide covers it.
Make a Day of It: Ridley Park and the MacDade Corridor
Closer to home, Ridley Park's walkable downtown around East Hinckley Avenue and the train station is a pleasant shop-small loop, with cafes like Ardour Bakery and The BrickHaus nearby if you need a coffee break between stops. Bonus for 2026: the Ridley Park Santa Parade and Holiday Village also lands on Saturday, November 28 this year, so you can shop small and catch the parade in one afternoon, as covered in the Delco holiday events post. The MacDade Boulevard corridor through Folsom and Holmes is lined with family-run businesses, and the Ridley Park guide and Folsom guide on this site cover what it is like to live in each. For a roundup of more locally owned favorites across these towns, the local favorites post has the full list.
Tips for a Smooth Shop-Small Day
A few habits make Small Business Saturday go smoothly. Call ahead or check the shop's website before you go, since many small stores keep shorter hours than the malls. Arrive early, because the best independent shops get busy fast and the good stuff goes first. Bring cash as a backup, as not every small business takes cards. Follow your town's business association on social media for day-of specials and pop-ups. And remember that shop-small is a year-round habit, not just one Saturday: these are the businesses that sponsor the local teams, donate to the school auctions, and keep the main streets lit.
The Bottom Line
Small Business Saturday is November 28, 2026, and Delaware County has a shop-small option within a short drive of just about any home near Boothwyn. Whether you stay on Chichester Avenue, take the trolley down State Street in Media, browse the bookshops in Swarthmore, or catch the art show in Lansdowne, a few dollars spent locally go a long way. If you are house-hunting in the area and want a local's read on which town fits your family, the neighborhood guide on this site pulls it all together, and the community pages fill in each town.
Happy shopping, and see you around Delco. I am Andre Richardson, a Realtor with HomeSmart Realty Advisors, licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. If you are thinking about buying or selling near Boothwyn, reach me at 267-977-0304, head to the contact page, or browse more local guides at andrerichardson.com.
Andre Richardson
Realtor . HomeSmart Realty Advisors . PA RS349905 . NJ 1969348