Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative created and promoted by the American Express credit card brand to encourage holiday shopping on the Saturday after Thanksgiving in the United States, during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.

Small Business Saturday got its start in 2010 when, during the recession, American Express created Small Business Saturday®. Their intention was to encourage people to Shop Small and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

This year, Saturday, November 25, is Small Business Saturday – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for our communities. When you shop locally, most of that goes back into the local community. In fact, of every $100 you spend at a local business, $68 goes back into the community. Moreover, nearly half of all NYC employees are employed by a small business. So, the money you spend is more than just a purchase. It’s an investment in your neighborhood!

With so many small businesses in NYC, there are always plenty of options to keep your spending dollars local. But here are a couple of Small Business Saturday events that will give you great gift options and some festivities!

● At Empire Outlets in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island, you can look for the “Shop Local” decal to support local business owners and shop for the perfect gift. The city’s only outlet shopping destination is steps from the Staten Island Ferry. While there, you can support small business owners like Asili’s Boutique, Badassbootcamp, Vanity House Designs, New York is My Happy Place, Lauren Naomi Fine Art, Staten Island Playhouse, Hazel’s 432 food truck, and Cosmo.

● In Queens, you can visit the Queens Craft Brigade. This market in Astoria brings together the best makers from the borough to create highly curated events featuring artwork, food, jewelry, fashion, crafts, and more. Their hours are 12 to 5 p.m. It is free and open to all ages. You can even bring your dog!

● If you are in Brooklyn, you can #ShopMyrtle! On Myrtle Avenue, 4 out of 5 businesses are independently owned. And Small Business Saturday is the perfect day to celebrate and support them. The following shops have one-day-only sales: Dogtopia, European Wax Center, Green in BKLYN, and Jill Lindsey.

These are only a few of the options available to you. For more information about small businesses near you, you can check out Shop Your City. Broadway Stages thanks you for supporting the hardworking small business owners and employees in your community on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.

News