Ticket sales for third annual event begin Oct. 31

ASHLAND — Ashland’s favorite shopping and sampling event returns in November to celebrate Small Business Saturday for a third consecutive year, and turns up the heat with a few new feature restaurants.

Brunch & Browse is a unique event that allows participants the opportunity to sample dishes from downtown Ashland restaurants, while also encouraging shoppers to support small and local businesses throughout Ashland. Guests are invited to visit six “brunch” location at their leisure and sample featured menu items, while “browsing” local shops and boutiques where they may fill up a reusable Brunch & Browse shopping tote.

Brunch & Browse is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Restaurant sampling will be observed during event hours. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day, beginning at 1 p.m.
Featured restaurants for the event are: Alma’s Italian; Blazer’s Restaurant & Bakery; Elite Catering; Superhero Creamery; The Jockey Club; and Tipton’s Traditions.

“Within the year, three new restaurants have opened in downtown, and this event presents an ideal opportunity for the community to get acquainted with each restaurant and its offerings all in one day. This year’s lineup is a perfect balance of returning favorites, and soon-to-be favorites,” said Whitney Lowe, Ashland in Motion executive director.

Ticket sales begin Tuesday, October 31. Pre-sale tickets are available for purchase at Ashland Boyd County Tourism and Convention Bureau located at 1509 Winchester Ave.

Pre-sale tickets are $15; day of event tickets are $20. Day of event tickets may be purchased at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center. Ticket sales for the third annual event are limited to 300.

Included in ticket purchase is restaurant sampling, a reusable Brunch & Browse shopping tote, an event guide and exclusive Small Business Saturday coupon booklet, and a door prize entry for the chance to win items donated by local businesses. Door prize items range in value from $25 to $300.

Participants may begin the event at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, where they will receive event wristbands, event guide and coupon booklet, and reusable shopping totes.

Brunch & Browse is hosted by Ashland Alliance, Ashland Boyd County Tourism and Convention Bureau, Ashland in Motion, Bridges Magazine, East Kentucky Small Business Development Center and Morehead State University Ashland Small Business Development Center.

Proceeds from ticket sales will fund future Ashland in Motion events and initiatives.

Small Business Saturday is a concept that was branded by American Express and launched as a national campaign in 2010. The shopping holiday falls each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, serving as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The initiative encourages shoppers to support small and local businesses during the holiday shopping season.

Ashland in Motion reminds the community that while restaurant sampling and event incentives are limited to ticket purchasers, everyone is invited and encouraged to shop the stores of local merchants and support the Small Business Saturday initiative.

For more information, please visit www.ashlandinmotion.org/brunchandbrowse or email Ashland in Motion at director@ashlandinmotion.org/.