Bittersweet Farms, Target Offer Sensory Friendly Holiday Shopping

Whitehouse, OH… Holiday shopping can be overwhelming for many of us, but for individuals on the autism spectrum, the bright lights, loud music, and crowded stores can be major barriers to preparing for the holidays. For the sixth year in a row, Bittersweet and two local Target stores are collaborating to offer a sensory friendly holiday shopping experience for the local autism community.

On Wednesday, November 9th , the Target store in Rossford (9666 Old US 20, Rossford, OH 43460) and the Target store in Holland (1465 E Mall Dr., Holland, OH 43528) will open one hour early to provide a sensory friendly shopping experience for individuals with autism. From 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, the lights will be dimmed, the music turned off, and foot traffic limited.

Bittersweet Executive Director, Dustin Watkins, says, “For the sixth year in a row, we are thrilled to partner with Target to offer this sensory friendly holiday shopping experience. Bittersweet’s mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals with autism and those whose lives they touch. Offering opportunities such as this to the wider autism community is one of many ways we fulfill our mission. We look forward to seeing everyone at Target again this year as we welcome the holiday season.”

Julie Champa, Bittersweet Development Director, says, “This event means so much to the participants at Bittersweet. There is nothing like the joy on their faces as they are able to shop for their loved ones in a stress-free environment! We are grateful to Target for making this possible, and we are thrilled to share this opportunity with the local autism community.”

Local individuals with autism and their families are invited to attend this event on Wednesday, November 9th from 7:00AM to 8:00AM at the Target stores in Rossford and Holland.