For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Andover Invites Residents to Support Local Businesses on Small Business Saturday

Family-Friendly Event Will Feature Touch-A-Truck and Other Activities Downtown

ANDOVER – Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Director of Business, Arts and Cultural Development Ann Ormond are pleased to announce that Andover will host a special family-friendly event to celebrate Small Business Saturday. 

On Saturday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Andover residents are encouraged to visit downtown for a family-friendly Small Business Saturday event, which will include an opportunity for residents of all ages to explore a variety of town-owned vehicles and equipment. 

The Touch-A-Truck event will take place at Old Town Hall and will feature vehicles from the Andover Police and Fire Departments — including a police cruiser and motorcycle — as well as Department of Public Works equipment, like a dump truck and a backhoe.

The event will also feature a limited supply of free giveaways celebrating the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Small Business Saturday was originally created by American Express in order to promote shopping at local businesses, like the dozens that are unique to Andover, on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Since its founding in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday.

“The last few months have been challenging for residents and businesses alike,” Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said. “This will kick off a major effort to both celebrate our business community and accelerate its recovery.”

This will kick off a major effort to both celebrate and accelerate our business community.

All of Andover’s small businesses were impacted by the gas disaster that began on Sept. 13, and the town has taken steps to work with business owners and advocate on their behalf with representatives from the State House and Columbia Gas alike. 

Last week, town officials and students from Andover High School and Northeastern University fanned out along Main Street and the surrounding area and took over the town’s social media accounts to feature businesses recovering from the gas disaster. 

To learn more about the businesses that have re-opened, follow #AndoverBiz on Twitter and Instagram. You can also follow @AndoverDowntown on Instagram for regular features on local businesses. 

“The town has come together amid the gas disaster and we hope that residents will show their support for the small businesses and restaurants that were also affected by this crisis,” Ormond said. “Small Business Saturday will be a great chance to have fun, shop and enjoy a great meal at the dozens of stores and restaurants that make our town special.” 

For more information on Small Business Saturday, visit www.AndoverMA.gov.

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