COLFAX, N.D. — Black Friday may be for the frenzied, adrenaline-charged bargain hunter but Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29 this year) is for those seeking more of a Hallmark movie experience.
And what better way to cure your post-pumpkin-pie-and-weird-Cousin-Marvin hangover than a retail road trip with friends to a few small-town markets?
After all, North Dakota is a small-business haven. According to the Small Business Administration, 98.8% of our state’s businesses are small businesses. SBA stats say 85% of all North Dakota businesses employ fewer than 20 employees and 55% of all our businesses boast fewer than four employees.
Conveniently enough, three different entities in the Colfax/Abercrombie area are offering sip-and-shop experiences supporting small businesses and cottage vendors.
That includes Dakota Vines Vineyard and Winery near Colfax,
and the community of Abercrombie.
They’re marketing their collective activities as “three events, seven miles and one day.” (Although Fargoans will have to drive 30 miles on I-29 first to hit this small-town shoppapalooza off Exit 37.)
But, hey. At least you won’t have to be around Cousin Marvin.
Holiday Sip & Shop at Dakota Vines
This year’s Small Business Saturday Sip & Shop at Dakota Vines Vineyard and Winery near Colfax will offer the same festive medley of crafts, refreshments and holiday cheer as always.
That is exactly how Deb Grosz’s mom, the late Carolyn Radeck, would have wanted it.
It was Radeck who suggested a sip-and-shop-style event to her daughter and son-in-law, Bob, in the first place. That was in 2018, when the couple was launching their fledgling winery. Since then, the Groszes have held the post-Thanksgiving vendor event every year — and Radeck has always been right there to help.
Contributed / Dakota Vines
“She was like my right hand on Small Business Saturday. She loved it so much. She would bring fudge and cookies,” Deb says. “Nobody loved Christmas more than she did.”
Sadly, Radeck passed away in February. Even so, the Saturday Sip & Shop will go on, even if the absence of Grosz’s beloved mother will make it bittersweet.
This year’s event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the winery’s tasting room/gallery.
Vendors will include:
- The Grubby Goat Soap Company, featuring goat-milk soaps and products made from the owners’ goat herd
- Ten Seven Acres, features a Galchutt, N.D. family selling dryer balls, socks and yarns made from the fibers collected from their alpaca herd
- Smells Like Home Candle Co., is a Fargo business specializing in soy candles of various fragrances, designs and sizes
- Gnomistry, encompasses the whimsical, hand-crafted gnomes, elves, snowmen, Santas, ornaments and other cute decor created by a Moorhead crafter
- K3 Ink Stitch, features embroidered towels, rugs and shirts, which are often bundled with baking mixes, potholders and other handy items to create the perfect gift
- Bree’s Creations, features hand-crafted wreaths, centerpieces and other florals for many holidays and every season
- A Tastefully Simple booth features the Alexandria, Minnesota company’s popular baking mixes, spice blends and other products
- A and N Designs, featuring bookmarks, note cards, resin earrings, stickers and other hand-crafted gifts by the Groszes’ granddaughters. This will be the third year her granddaughters have participated, as their items have proven popular with shoppers. “I think the No. 1 reason people buy from them is because they are absolutely adorable,” Deb says. “They’re just little businesswomen, but they’ve made all the things themselves and set all the prices. It’s just some really cool stuff.”
Shoppers also can sip wine, NA cocktails and sodas while shopping and there will be some holiday goodies available.
Contributed / Dakota Vines
People also can purchase the wines which the Groszes make from their cold-climate grapes.
“I think our reputation has grown to the point where people know what to expect,” Deb says. “Anything we can do to encourage people to shop local for the holidays.”
Dakota Vines is located at 17355 County Road 4, rural Colfax. From Fargo, take I-29 Exit 37 toward Colfax/Abercrombie, turn left (east) onto 65th St. S.E./County Road 4 and continue east for 2.1 miles.
A Very Merry Market at The 44 Venue
While you’re in the Colfax area, check out the shopping, activities and music planned for the first Very Merry Market from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in The 44 Venue in Colfax, N.D.
Contributed / The 44 Venue
This is is a curated Small Business Saturday makers’ market featuring over 20 artists, crafters and cooks selling handmade goods, holiday decor, apparel, home items, baked goods, candles and gifts.
That event, along with the Fa La La Funk holiday concert slated for Thursday, Dec. 18, at The 44, will support the Richland #44 Foundation’s mission to fund scholarships and community programming, says Janna Koble, general manager of The 44.
Activities will include:
- Crafts with Gallery on the Go, the mobile paint-party service
- “Presents for Parents” gift-making
- Horse-drawn carriage rides
- S’mores and fire pits
- Hot cocoa, cider and festive cocktails
- Professional holiday photos by Cedar and Ivy Images, West Fargo
- Visit with Santa, along with storytime by Mrs. Claus
- Live piano music
- Sips and Swags. Attendees can purchase a “Sips & Swags” ticket for $10 to make their own swag wreath to take home. Price includes a choice of a featured cocktail or mocktail to sip while crafting. Order tickets for “Sips & Swags” at
- Urban Foods will be there to sell Swedish meatballs and gravy, broccoli cheese soup, chicken wild rice soup, chicken salad croissant, mac and cheese and charcuterie cups.
General admission for A Very Merry Market is free for adults and children 2 and under. Ages 3 to 17 can buy a $10 activities wristband, which will provide access to all the listed activities
Holiday Sip & Shop in Abercrombie
And while you’re in the neighborhood, why not drive a few more miles east to Abercrombie? The community’s Holiday Sip & Shop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29 at 204 1st Ave. E., in Abercrombie, N.D.
Attendees can check out vendors selling holiday decor and gifts, porch pots, baked goods, kids’ cookie kits and other items to inspire holiday giving.
Those who drop by can help themselves to the complimentary popcorn bar or enjoy a festive holiday drink or hot chocolate.
