BLACK FRIDAY.The dread of every good and decent human being.

Every year it strikes when we are at our most stuffed, hungover and vulnerable, assaulting our psyches with sad, sordid stories of pensioners getting curb-stomped for Blue Ray players, leaving us with a little bit less faith in our fellow man, woman and otherwise than we had the year before.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Instead of passively bearing witness to the horror that is Black Friday, actively participate in Plaid Friday—the national initiative to support local and independent businesses on November 25th.

NORTH END

EQUAL EXCHANGE CAFE — Great “Good” Coffee
[226 Causeway St., Boston. 617.372.8777. @eecafe. equalexchangecafe.com]

SHAKE THE TREE (A)  — We can’t tell you what this place is, on account of “funky little boutique” being on our Style Guide blacklist, but it rhymes with “flunky Skittle antique”
[67 Salem St., Boston. 617.742.-484. @ShakeTHEtreeBos. shakethetreeboston.com]

A MATTER OF FACE (A)  — Cosmetics and Beauty Goops
[425 Hanover St., Boston. 617.742.5874. amatterofface.com]

NEWBURY STREET

TRIDENT BOOKSELLERS — You should stop in here to get some books. Or, dunno, a journal or whatever. Just do it. What? There’s a wine bar inside? How incredibly fortuitous!
[338 Newbury St., Boston. 617.267.8688. tridentbookscafe.com]

FORT POINT

TWELVE CHAIRS — Kick-Ass Sustainable Home Furnishings
[319 A St., Boston. 617.701.3496. @twelvechairs. twelvechairsboston.com]

SOUTH END

UNCLE PETE’S (A) — Classy Menswear and Ladywear
[119 Charles St., Boston. 617.391.0895. @unclepetesshop. unclepetesshop.com]

HABIT (A) — “Blunky cribble monique”
[703 East Broadway, South Boston. 617.269.1998. habitshop.com]

CRUSH (A) — Chic Shoes, Jeans, and Jewelry.
[131 Charles St., Boston. 617.720.0010. shopcrushboutique.com]

UNIFORM (A) — Essentials for the coolest guy you know—especially if that guy is you. Wallets, messenger bags and flannels, all up for grabs.
[511 Tremont St., Boston. 617.247.2360. @uniformboston. uniformboston.com]

BOBBY FROM BOSTON — A South End sartorial institution, Bobby needs no introduction.
So … shit. Just go.
[19 Thayer St., Boston. 617.423.9299. facebook.com/Bobbyfromboston]

What’s That Little (A) Mean?

Shoppes that are marked with that little bracketed alpha are participating in the brand-spanking new Access program, brought to you by the fine folks behind Spreedia.com and New Brahmin.

As a way to encourage you to keep stickin’ it to the Big Box all year round, this little number will automatically knock 10 percent off of fully priced merch at these fine establishments, as well as getting your name on the list for special promos and events.

Not to mention all the good karma.

A 12-month membership can be yours for $40, and you can pick one up at spnbaccess.com.