Last minute Thanksgiving options, doggos and Black Friday plans
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
For years, my large extended family would gather at my grandmother’s house to share in a potluck style late Thanksgiving lunch. Everyone brought a dish they were masters of, from Mom’s creamed corn to Aunt Jan’s cherry cheesecake and, of course, Grandma’s homemade egg noodles.
But things changed when my grandma died in October 2012. The once-massive family gathering became small, with my mom and her siblings deciding to celebrate with their immediate families.
Mom took the change as an opportunity to do something different for the holiday and thought about ways to create our own tradition. So, that year, we had our first Thanksgiving without Grandma at Tippecanoe Place.
While the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving at a restaurant didn't stick with mom and I (and we now join in on my husband's family dinner), it made me appreciate tradition and how it's okay to change. Perhaps that's why I love the holiday — because no matter what, there's just something about gathering around a table full of food with those you love, regardless of where you are.
Plus, I just really, really love mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
If you're looking to create your own last minute tradition this year on where to eat for Thanksgiving, you can check out a list of what restaurants are open here.
In other retail & restaurant news ...
► Local store Lovely Twisted Things recently opened in downtown South Bend. The new store, located across from the Post Office on Michigan Street, features handcrafted items created by more than 30 local artisans (and reminds me of Rose Apothecary from Schitt's Creek). Owners plan to be open seven days a week between Black Friday and Christmas.
Full story: Hand-crafted artisan retailer Lovely Twisted Things opens in downtown South Bend
► Target announced that it will remain closed for Thanksgiving permanently. The CEO stated the decision was initially planned to be a temporary measure driven by the pandemic, but it has "become a new standard — one that recognizes our ability to deliver on our guests’ holiday wishes both within and well beyond store hours.” Here's who will also be closed for Thanksgiving this year.
► Santa will be at the University Park Mall beginning Thursday, Nov. 18. Hours and reservations are available here.
► Black Friday is tomorrow and, although the holiday shopping tradition has waned in popularity recently, experts are still anticipating people to come out for the holiday. Promotions will likely be plentiful, but strained supply chains will impact what gifts will be available and when they will be delivered.
Local impact: Experts say be flexible and prompt with this year's holiday shopping season
► CVS Health announced it plans to close about 900 stores over the next three years. USA Today reports the drugstore chain continues to pivot away from retail and toward health care services. A list of what store locations were closing was not immediately available and there are currently more than 20 locations across St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.
Subscriber exclusive: Details about a new virtual gaming business and holiday markets
► Holiday markets and bazaars are quickly stocking up weekends as we end the year out and prepare for Christmas. Here's a list of what events are happening.
Across the state: Small Business Saturday takes place in another tough year for Indiana small businesses
And, a small housekeeping note, for the first time since becoming the retail and restaurant reporter, I will be taking Black Friday and Small Business Saturday off. If you're planning to go out, please, still feel free to tweet (@marketbasketsbt) or send me all of your pictures and tidbits of how the day has gone. I know it's a family tradition for many, but can't say I'm mad about getting to sleep in on Black Friday a bit this year.
Other local news I found interesting ...
Here are some local stories I personally found interesting over the past week. They aren't necessarily tied to retail or restaurant news, but I think still hold significance in keeping up to date on what's going on in our community.
► Volunteer to manager: South Bend woman gives back to neighborhood at nonprofit coffee shop
► Dinosaur Museum plans are back: Local chocolatier says federal aid helped give dream of dinosaur museum new life
► Food Bank: South Bend area food pantries face the same issues as consumers: high prices and shortages
► '100% behind them': Middlebury rallies behind Northridge football team ahead of state title game
Plus, last week on social media, I promised you pictures of my pups, so here's Cal being super proud of graduating from basic training. I love to see sweet peas so send photos of your pets my way at mshown@gannett.com.
Cheers,
Mary
It’s true you now need a subscription to access some of the Tribune stories, including exclusive insights from Market Basket. If you're a subscriber, thank you for your support. For those who are not, but enjoy the Market Basket column and want to see it continue, you can subscribe here. New digital subscribers qualify for a $1 for 6 months of access deal. After that, it's $8.99 a month and still less than a Netflix subscription.
Contact Mary Shown at 574-235-6244 and mshown@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @maryshownSBT and @marketbasketSBT.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Market Basket newsletter November 18 2021
