Shop Small for the Holidays with Small Business Saturday!
For those of you who don’t know, Small Business Saturday was created last year in collaboration with the city of New York; Mayor Bloomberg and American Express. This shopping initiative , which takes place the day after Black Friday, was designed to help support local and independently owned small businesses. Since it’s creation, Small Business Saturday has become a huge cultural event, encouraging people to spend money at small businesses across the U.S. and fueling the economy of many communities across the country.
This year, PAPER Magazine, in collaboration with AmEx, have created three city guides highlighting various Small Business Saturday deals consumers can take advantage of. These guides are focused on the cities of New York, Chicago and San Francisco, and the deals include discounts on restaurant tastings and drinks; clothing and boutique discounts, special gifts with purchase and plenty more.
I’ve highlighted several deals below.
NEW YORK
In Manhattan, take advantage of 20% off any baked good purchase at BabyCakes, Erin McKenna’s popular vegan bakery. Alternatively, you can opt for 15% off purchases of $200 or more at Cloak & Dagger, as well as enjoy complimentary cocktails and tea from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at this East Village Boutique.
In Brooklyn, stop by Eastern District for free in-store tastings, featuring a variety of local meats, cheeses, sodas and sweets.
CHICAGO
The Bento Box, a small Asian eatery, is offering a free appetizer with any lunch purchase of $20 or more from 1 to 5 p.m.
At The Circle Salon, purchase a salon gift certificate and receive a free gift just for you. If the gift certificate values $75 or more, you will also receive a free blow dry lesson.
Grab a group of friends and stop by Debonair Social Club for $5 PBR’s and bourbon shots, as well as no cover charge, all night long at this two-story Wicker Park hot spot.
SAN FRANCISCO
At Festa, the “kookiest karaoke bar” in the city, you can enjoy $2 off all drinks and free karaoke from 7:30-9 p.m. Swing by Green Apple Books earlier in the day for a free canvas bag with the mention of Small Business Saturday and a purchase of $25 or more.
At FTC Skateboarding, you can enjoy 20% off all purchases – and may even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a few pros hanging around the shop.
This is only a small selection of the deals being offered on Small Business Saturday (11/26.) For more information about this initiative, and to view the city guides with all of the deals, please visit Facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday. On Twitter, reference #SmallBizSat or handles @PaperMagazine or @AmericanExpress. Remember, even if you aren’t in New York, Chicago or San Francisco, you can still support your local community and shop small for the holidays on Small Business Saturday. Happy shopping!