Castro Valley Merchants Gearing Up for Weekend Sales Events

Like the big-named stores, owner Jasmine Clemmons plans to partake in the biggest holiday shopping weekend of the year this Friday.

However, instead of "Black Friday," she will offer a "Plaid Friday" sale.

Clemmons was one of several business owners who attended the to express their concern over the lack of customer participation in the program.

Business owners said they are relying on holiday shopping for the second annual Small Business Saturday — which aims at reminding shoppers to spend money at their favorite local stores — more than ever this year.

Clemmons said shoppers should visit her store to find items "not available at big stores" and receive one-on-one help on selecting great gift items. A big seller at Jazzy Crafts is an assortment of kids’ craft kits. The shop also offers party packages for children and adults. Popular parties include birthday parties and nighttime card-making or scrapbook-making events for adults. Shoppers can find the following deals at the store this weekend:

• Plaid Friday: 20 percent off entire purchase
• Small Business Saturday: 15 percent off entire purchase
• Items with an attached Boulevard Bucks logo receive an additional $1 off the marked price

This will be the first holiday season for the , which opened in February. Owner Kathy Franklin said the center has many options for gift givers ranging from products and gift certificates to service packages. The following deals are available this weekend:

• 20 percent off any products (including skin care products, lotions, body wash, ingrown hair serum and others).
• Buy a $50 gift certificate and receive a $5 credit on your account or buy a $100 gift certificate and receive a $10 credit on your account.
• Buy nine of the same service and get three free.
• Buy an unlimited wax pass for a year and receive an extra month.
• First-time guests receive a free service. Women can choose from: bikini line, eyebrow, or under arm wax. And men can choose from: Eyebrow, ear, or nose wax). Gratuities are not included.

is having a store-wide sale this weekend with deals including:

• 15 percent off all bikes
• 20 percent off everything else in the store
• Check the store’s website highlighting all the items on sale this weekend.

The Black Friday Sale starts at 8 a.m. at Crush Comics & Cards and will run through Sunday. Shoppers will find a variety of deals including:

• Friday only: Buy three Eaglemoss Lead Figurines and get one free
• 50 percent off selected Jim Lee comics
• 50 percent off all back issue boxes, including dollar and silver age boxes.
• Buy one, get one free t-shirts
• 99-cent UFS Card Packs
• $1.99 table with selected trade paperbacks, toys and other items
• Free Crush Comics Shirt with any $50-or-more purchase

Don't forget that “Boulevard Bucks” coupons can also be used at several locations, including Castro Village Bowl, where bowlers receive one free game of bowling with one paid game. A complete list of price specials at Castro Village Bowl be found here.

For a list of more than 80 merchants participating in the "Boulevard Bucks" promotion go . Local business owners and shoppers can "like" the ShopCVBlvd Facebook page for the latest updates or check out the Shop the Boulevard website.