Oakland's Local Response to Big Box Black Friday - Plaid

OAKLAND, Calif. - Nov. 15, 2016 - PRLog -- Plaid Friday was started by Kerri Johnson, owner of Marion and Rose, in 2009 , and is predicated on the idea that people  do want to shop on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but many want to avoid the big box store frenzy and instead support and celebrate their local and independent retailers.  Johnson noted, "the name Plaid Friday was conceived from the idea of weaving the individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses." Plaid Friday although started in Oakland is now nationwide appearing in areas from Minneapolis, Maine, Portland, to St. Paul.

In it's 7th year, this year's Plaid Friday is set to be the biggest yet. Oakland Grown, Downtown Oakland Association, Townsquared, City of Oakland, East Bay Express, and over 40 local retailers & restaurants have come together to extend previous year's happenings in Oakland Central to include special promotions and offers at participating stores, discover local up and coming designer talent showcased around the city,  live music in Latham Square, the Grand Opening of the brand new Owl and Wood at 471 9th St, a sample sale with all proceeds will going to Youth Radio at Crown Nine, a after party at Vamp Saturday night, and free parking for the whole Holiday season starting with  Plaid Weekend.

Elsewhere around the city Plaid Weekend will take on unique flavours of the neighborhoods involved and events are extending into the whole of the Holiday Season. Rockridge will be hosting it's 8th Annual "Rockridge in the Snow" on the Saturday of Plaid weekend, 11/26., Montclair will have its 14th Annual Holiday Stroll on 12/1 and a Holiday Village on 12/15. Fruitvale will having it's tree lighting on 12/2, with the brand new "Los sabores de Fruitvale - Un delicioso paseo - The Flavors of Fruitvale - A delicious stroll" on 12/10. Temescal has the "Holiday Art Fair" on 12/4. Lakeshore will be hosting free carriage rides, face painting, and even Santa will be popping by on 12/9 - 10. And Jack London Square will be having it's "lights up for the holidays" celebration on 12/2.

Like previous years Townsquared (http://www.townsquared.com) Oakland has designed the Plaid Friday Downtown map to help guide shoppers around their stores and activities that will be printed in East Bay express on 11/16 & 11/23, and available at the info booths in Latham Square and Old Oakland throughout the weekend. You can find full details of all businesses participating throughout the city and activities happening on the Oakland Grown Website (http://oaklandgrown.org/) and take part in the festive fun using the hashtag  #PlaidWeekendOakland.