Main Street merchants at Nashua Coins & Collectibles included professionals, from left, Gary S. Galbo, shop owner and a resident of Hudson, Kevin Winn of Tyngsborough, Mass. and Nashuans Richard Wyrwicz and Michael Yanuskevich well occupied in hobnobbing with event goers curious about coins, jewelry, artwork and vintage memorabilia. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

NASHUA – Petulant throngs jamming local shopping malls surely envied the casual amiability of merchants along Main Street and elsewhere in Nashua who offered nibbles, bargains, raffle drawings and good will on Plaid Friday, a Nov. 28 event originating in California 16 years ago to encourage skipping the mall and shopping small.

“Plaid Friday has been a nationwide small business movement since 2009,” said Alyssa O’Mara, director of the nonprofit Downtown Nashua Association, a group of avid citizens whose official launch in January of 2026 will expand the legacy of the Great American Downtown organization.

“Every year, we look forward to seeing our community support their friends and neighbors by skipping the mall and shopping small — we have some incredible businesses in Downtown Nashua and more will be joining in 2026,” O’Mara added.

Bargains that day were abundant, thanks to 20 generous event sponsors. Fortin Gage flower and gift shop on West Pearl Street was the event headquarters.

Fortin Gage Staffers Melanie Rose of Salem, Robin Pike of Nashua and Courtney Jensen of Litchfield, along with Morgan Ceurvels of Nashua presented to visitors free tote bags to carry souvenirs and sundries, plus an easy-to-follow map of the locations of participating merchants.

Paul Rollo, Nashua owner of Retro Rollo's Collectibles, a new Main Street attraction of 10 months, provided some nostalgia as Plaid Friday attendees purchased favorites of the '80s and '90s such as dolls, toys, movies, games and Ninja Turtles action figures. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Well thanked by organizers were supporters of the Plaid Friday event, including Scontsas Fine Jewelry & Home Decor, Grey Nuns Thrift Shop, Retro Rollo’s Collectibles and Break Free Escape Games. Joining them in support for the event was Union Public House, The Pearl at Stella Blu, Local Street Eats, O’Brien’s Sports Bar and many more eateries and retailers.

The aim of the day was described on the Downtown Nashua Association website: Plaid Friday celebrates the diversity and creativity of local and independent businesses.

The Downtown Nashua Association as Great American Downtown has offered six major festivities whose amenities will continue. They include Plaid Friday, the Winter Stroll, the seasonal Farmer’s Market and Coloring Main Street, along with Halloween Downtown and Taste of Downtown.

More information is available online at downtownnashua.org.

Plaid Friday attractions included welcomes, snacks and bargains arranged by Grey Nuns Thrift Shop teammates, Kat, foreground, Austin and Peggy, seated, along with Joan, center, and other associates, standing from left, Irene, Mary, Julie and Judith, who offered the public treats and bargains. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Headquarter for Plaid Friday was Fortin Gage flower and gift shop on West Pearl Street, where attendees were treated to free tote bags displayed here by employees, from left, Melanie Rose of Salem, Robin Pike of Nashua, Courtney Jensen of Litchfield and Morgan Ceurvels, also a Nashuan. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON