How appropriate is it that Mother’s Day and Earth Day are so close together? Check out how businesses downtown can help you celebrate Mother Earth and every other kind of mother in your life in the upcoming weeks ahead.
EVENTS
Is the mother in your life someone who values experiences and quality time? Check out the variety of fun events happening downtown before or during Mother’s Day weekend.
For the mother looking for fun for the whole family:
Friendly City Food Co-p Grand Expansion Celebration
The Friendly City Food Co-op just completed the addition of over 2,000 square feet to the store. Join the for a fun-filled week of prizes, giveaways, samples, and more to help us celebrate April 25 – May 1. There will be plenty of Earth Week-inspired activities including seed starting and recycled crafts!
There will be in-store giveaways all through the week, as well as a daily contest on their Instagram page.
There will be activities held out on the patio – all are drop-in basis so you can arrive and leave anytime during the activity that you like. You do not have to sign up ahead of time, just come!
Masks and social distancing will be required. See the full schedule of events here.
For the mother that loves to wrap herself in a cozy quilt:
Virginia Quilt Museum Free Admission Saturday
Mothers and grandmothers will get free admission to the Virginia Quilt Museum on Saturday, May 8th in celebration of Mother’s Day.
Note: the museum will be closed Sunday.
For the mother who dances like nobody’s watching:
Friendly City Dance Room’s Comedy & Kizomba
Come enjoy a night out on the town for Mother’s Day Weekend! Comedy & Kizomba on Saturday, May 8th includes a 45-minute comedy show with comedian Dawn Womack, a Kizomba lesson with dancer/teacher Phillip Fusaro, an open dance floor, and local brews from local beer providers like Restless Moons Brewing Company.
Get your ticket on Eventbrite.
For the mother who is a local foodie:
Magpie Diner Brunch
Magpie Diner will be open regular hours serving their brunch menu Friday-Sunday Mother’s Day weekend. Indoor and outdoor dining available, with garage doors up, weather permitting! No reservations, take-out, or parties larger than 10.
For fans of Mother Earth and her creative children:
Julie Koehler, first place in the Best Depiction of Theme category
OASIS Fine Art & Craft Art Exhibit and Mother’s Day Promotions
OASIS Fine Art & Craft, in collaboration with Earth Day Every Day Harrisonburg, is sponsoring an art contest with the theme “Restore our Earth.” See the best in class winners at OASIS from April 20th – 30th. While you are there, also check out the variety of collections that make great Mother’s Day gifts!
Stop by on Saturday, May 8th, for more Mother’s Day gift options at OASIS. There will be a special promotion where customers can purchase fresh flowers in hand-made pottery vases by Brenda Fairweather. Natalie Darling will also be offering vintage monogrammed spoon handles made into customized necklaces (customers can add their preferred chain and charm).
For Mother Earth herself (and the mother searching for a healthy glow):
withSimplicity’s Ditch + Switch Event
For Earth Day, withSimplicity will be holding their annual Ditch + Switch event. For every toxic beauty product you bring to recycle through TerraCycle at the store on Earth Day, you will get 10% off one product that is in the same category, plus get 1 Simple Perks Loyalty point for every empty container you bring in.
Ditch 1 Skincare Product = 10% off 1 Skincare product
Ditch 2 Makeup Products = 10% off 2 Makeup products (10% off both)
…and so on.
Spend $100 or more and get a FREE Mini Pro-Age Serum (value: $28). This offer is valid online as well!
Learn more at withSimplicity’s Facebook event page.
GIFT IDEAS
Do you want to give the mother in your life a token of love and appreciation? Check out these gift ideas that will not only make your mother feel loved but also is kind to Mother Earth.
For the mother that enjoys the beautiful things in life:
Sparrows Floral Designs
Get locally grown blooms from surrounding area farms through Sparrows Floral Designs. Sparrows offers a variety of bouquets, plants, and gifts in-store and online. The also offer a subscription option if you want Mother’s Day to extend throughout the year!
Did You Know?
Sparrows Floral Design has a recycling program where you can bring in vases or pots in good condition and receive a punch card. Get one punch for every 3 items, and when you fill it up there’s a percentage off a future purchase.
They also make weekly trips to dispose of compostable waste and recyclable items and try to use floral foam as infrequently as possible because it’s not biodegradable.
For the mother who loves a spot of tea in the morning:
Bittersweet Bakery
Get everything you need for an extra special Mother’s Day tea with this offer from Bittersweet Bakery. Choose between just sweets, or sweets and sandwiches. All you need is some hot water! Order ahead online.
The Lady Jane
The Lady Jane is offering a limited-edition gift collab just for Mother’s Day! This tea-time-inspired box features a mug from Ros O’Brien Ceramics, a card from Pamela Tittle- Valley Art Project, and shop favorite Jane Austen blend tea with infusers. They can add your note to Pam’s card + ship it directly or you can pick it up locally. Order through their website or shop in-store.
Did You Know?
One of the most important reasons that buying goods locally helps the environment is because it reduces your “food miles.” By shopping locally, you purchase goods produced in within a few miles of your local community and, by cutting down on these miles, you reduce the environmental impact of your food.
For the mother who is sweet and and a bit salty:
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn offers a variety of popcorn flavors sure to delight everyone’s senses. See their popular flavors here.
Did You Know?
Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn works to reduce waste from packaging. Every tin that is brought back into the store, can be refilled with popcorn, popcorn seeds, and frosted nuts for about 50% off.
For the mother who likes to keep her hands busy:
Rocktown Yarn
Get the mother in your life everything she needs to knit, crochet, macrame, and more at Rocktown Yarn. Check out their online gift guide.
Did You Know?
Rocktown Yarn doesn’t want any yarn to go to waste, so they offer a 10% discount in exchange for leftover yarn that can be used to make warm-weather accessories for those in need.
They also offer eco-friendly fibers that you won’t find in big-box stores:
- Locally-sourced and naturally-dyed wool from Simple Hill Farm
- Recycled cotton and t-shirt yarn
- Upcycled sweater yarn from Recycled Yarn in Richmond
- Tencel yarn, which is made from eucalyptus tree fibre using renewable energy
For the mother who is beautiful, inside and out:
withSimplicity
withSimplicity is offering a curated collection of gifts perfect for Mother’s Day on their 2021 Graduate + Mother’s Day Beauty Gift Guide.
Did You Know?
There are thousands of chemicals found in the products living on bathroom counters and store shelves. withSimplicity educates customers about common, harmful ingredients that are in products you use everyday and offers clean alternatives
For the mother who is always sporting a pop of color:
Green Hummingbird Fair Trade Clothing
Green Hummingbird has a colorful variety of ethically produced clothing, jewelry, and accessories to brighten up your spring wardrobe. Now through the end of May, get free shipping on online orders of $50 or more!
Did You Know?
Fast fashion from large corporations is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Purchasing clothing from artisans helps cut down your closet’s carbon footprint and gives you pieces that are able to tell a unique story.
For the mother that has it all:
Heartworn Vintage
Find beautiful and sustainable one-of-a-kind gifts for the mother in your life at Heartworn Vintage, a mother/daughter-owned business! What a great way to honor Mother’s Day by finding her household items, gifts, clothing, and other gems that are as unique as she is.
Did You Know?
Buying vintage is a sustainable solution for household items, gifts and clothing. Vintage stores keep items in circulation to be worn again, used again, repurposed. They also reuse shopping/grocery bags at check out and repurpose packing, shipping, and wrapping materials.