Warren Businesses Offer Alternative on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday

Warren Township businesses aren't expecting the rush of shoppers that malls will be receiving on Black Friday and into the weekend, but for locals who already are stressed by cooking, traveling or hosting Thanksgiving dinners — maybe that's the point.

Evan Tornquist, the chairman of the newly formed Warren Township Chamber of Commerce, said that one of the focuses of the new chamber is to promote shopping at local businesses.

He said that those from both inside and outside the township often are pleased to discover the conveniences of shopping locally — along with a wide variety of local restaurants.

One of those local businesses is Warrenville Paint and Hardware, at 61A Mountain Boulevard, which has been independently owned since 1977.

The store — which also is participating in the Small Business Saturday promotion  — is an independent channel that provides brands and products unavailable through large retailers, according to its Independent Channel information on the store's website.