Elkridge Entrepreneurs Lure Shoppers with Cupcakes, Lotion, Bikes, Crabcakes

Small Business Saturday encourages shoppers to head for Main Street rather than the mall after Black Friday. In Elkridge, the phenomenon is catching on everywhere from the motorcycle industry to the cupcake shop.

On Route 1 near the Baltimore County line, is celebrating Small Business Saturday by opening an hour early—doors open at 9 a.m.—and will be running specials, like $3,000 off this “monster” of a bike, throughout the day.

on Meadowridge Road isn't spinning its wheels either. On the heels of Black Friday, the Elkridgean-owned cupcakery is closing out its fall line of flavors; pumpkin, maple walnut, carrot cake and caramel apple cupcakes will be replaced by winter flavors after Nov. 26. 

In addition, the shop is shaving off prices.

“We will be giving a $22-a-dozen price for Small Business Saturday,” said Michelle Kupiec, owner of Kupcakes & Co., in an email to Patch. Cupcakes are usually $2.50 for one and $25 per dozen.

“And for people buying half dozens, they can get a FREE cake pop with their purchase,” added Kupiec.

Another Elkridge business tried to sweeten the start of the holiday season by creating a spin-off of Black Friday, and will continue offering perks for customers on Saturday too.

 promoted what it coined “Bronze Friday” on Nov. 25, when it offered tanning packages for the next year.

“We had a bunch of people come in and get the new package for tans,” said Erica Brown, a Bodyworks employee, on Friday evening.

On Small Business Saturday, Brown said Bodyworks was selling buy one, get one half-off lotions; the store is also offering special lotion bundles that include tanning lotion, regular lotion and goggles.

Further south on Route 1, a Jessup business customized the term "Black Friday" for its clientele as well.

Bob Henig, owner of Bob's BMW, held "Triple Black Friday" on Nov. 25, when his motorcycle dealership featured three of BMW's limited edition triple-black models; each bike has a sapphire black metallic color, black engine and black spokes. 

On Small Business Saturday, Henig is taking 10 percent off everything at his shop. If people pay with a registered American Express card and purchase something more than $25, American Express will give customers $25 back on their next statement.

For another taste of local small business, hit Frank’s Seafood in Jessup. The fresh seafood market is offering customers $15 off purchases of at least $100 if they pay in cash on Small Business Saturday and $10 off if they pay with credit.

Customers can also print out coupons for additional deals, like four 4-oz crabcakes for $39 or three 3-oz crabcakes for $15 with the fourth one free. See Frank’s website for details.