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Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Just what is Small Business Saturday and why should you support it in your town?

Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves.

What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over your town and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day?

That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born.

Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” the U.S. Small Business Administration explains on its website.

American Express gets the credit for founding the shopping holiday, which got its official start on Nov. 27, 2010, according to the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. Celebrating its third year on Nov. 24, the event drew over 100 million people last year, according to the Small Business Saturday website.

Locally owned business across the country now take part in Small Business Saturday, offering their own deals to rival those offered the day before on Black Friday.

To find local retailers that take part in the promotion, just visit the Small Business Saturday website, click on “Find Out Where To Shop” in the menu at the top of the screen and type in your ZIP code.

What are your favorite small businesses? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

BART FRAENKEL November 24, 2012 at 08:03 pm
Springfield does have some large retailers but none of them are located in what is considered the center of town. Bed Bath & Beyond is on Morris Turnpike, while Bob's Store and Sports Authority are on Rt. 22. There's a reason for that and its the traffic an area generates (meaning customers) and nothing anyone does will change that to include the approximately 3 block area of downtown Springfield; its a logistics issue.
Jojo November 24, 2012 at 09:06 pm
I went small business shopping down Main St. Woodbridge but half of the storefronts were empty and for rent. Oh well, just another 4 more years...
Susan November 24, 2012 at 09:07 pm
Sometimes "small & local" are online stores of folks who live nearby! www.beachwritingsnj.com
Coloniamick November 24, 2012 at 11:15 pm
Dumb idea shutting down Main Street to all traffic! That move cost the small businesses that were open from potential customers who park on Main St.
Bryan November 25, 2012 at 12:19 am
How can anyone have a small businesss against the national chains? Everyone loves these dallor stores popping up but you dont realize that they low ball their venders and have them stock their shelves and pay their staff next to nothing and rake in the cash!
TimeForChange November 25, 2012 at 03:02 am
@LogicSeeker, you are confusing Capitalism and Corporatism.
Joe Russo November 25, 2012 at 01:24 pm
We had the nice Farmers Market in Lawrence. Much effort on the part of vendors, and it was well liked. Lot's of traffic on 206 Main St. but they had to shut down for lack of customers. They were forced to take down a small sign that helped people find the market-horrible!
Joe Russo November 25, 2012 at 01:31 pm
For 2013, I'd like to see Town Council promote local business in Lawrence with a series of actions that would meet the needs of someone wanting to start a business. Something like a "Live Lawrence-Shop Lawrence". We take 1/2 dozen reasons why people may feel it's difficult to conduct business in Lawrence, and try to reduce or remove them. If Town Council is already doing this, perhaps we expand it under a new banner of "2013, New Year, New Opportunity". :)
Joe Russo November 25, 2012 at 01:33 pm
OK, Sorry folks. I thought this was Lawrenceville Patch. Have a good day.
George November 25, 2012 at 03:15 pm
why is this 1st posted a day after the events happens?
lawrence williard November 25, 2012 at 03:19 pm
Is today Nov. 24? That's when this was posted.
Carl Gates November 25, 2012 at 10:28 pm
If you want a real local plumber in Clark, here we are !!! A-AaaBetter Plumbing & Heating Co. of Clark, N.J. I'm the owner: Carl Gates N.J. Master plumbing license #4485 and I work with my son, Steve who is also a Master Plumber and lives in Clark. If you go on the internet to find a plumber, there will be hundreds of plumbers saying they are Clark plumbers but there are only a few of us that actually live here. The rest come here from all over N.J. and call themselves Clark Plumbers. If you want a local family business, try us. Thanks, Carl Gates (732) 382-1785
Laurielle November 25, 2012 at 11:08 pm
This holiday season... give the gift of Laughter! The Comedy Cove @ Scotty's Pub is selling Gift Certificates with an incentive. Buy a $50.00 Gift Certificate and receive a FREE Ticket for Two to the Comedy Cove for you with a retail value of $30.00
Teresita Bastides-Heron November 26, 2012 at 03:20 am
This is Lawrwenceville Patch. I do not why we have people from other towns commenting on the Lawrenceville Patch!
Teresita Bastides-Heron November 26, 2012 at 03:22 am
I agree with you Joe Russo.!
Teresita Bastides-Heron January 18, 2013 at 09:55 pm
When you shop in your town owned bysinesses you help to build a strong, sustainable community and help your community to keep its unique character.. When you shop and dine locally. It's an investment in your community that pays off every day. Keep your money circulating in your local economy. Forget big business they will survived but supporting your own businesses you are building a sence of community.

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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Deborah Bell (Editor) June 18, 2013 at 11:48 am
You're welcome! I'm sure you'll enjoy these boards a lot.
CowDung June 18, 2013 at 04:26 pm
The trouble is, that once the 'boards' are off the front page, one can't follow the discussion. TheRead More 'shout stream' has gone away with the redesign of Patch. The 'reply' feature has also gone. Somehow I don't see these boards as being all that useful for public discussion and interaction. The more effective place is on the articles themselves--they get more page space, and they tend to have a more 'discussion friendly' topic for conversation than the random board postings.
Karen Egert June 18, 2013 at 06:06 pm
I agree -- they should have a separate tab for Letters to the Editor
karen egert June 14, 2013 at 03:01 pm
Apparently Mr. Common Sense you were not at the Board meeting because if you were you would knowRead More that it was clearly outlined that all decisions and reporting of this police officer will be from the police department -- not the school. So are you saying that Lucy Biegler is now the new spokeswoman ? You said she is calling out the position for what it REALLY is ? The discrepancy in outlined roles and the vagueness of this position is reason enough to question it. Ofcourse you have an opinion , but because our children will be directly affected I think our concerns should be heavily weighed . .
karen egert June 14, 2013 at 03:05 pm
Rob -- to answer your question , I was never crazy about the DARE program and yes , I was disturbedRead More that the officer carrying a gun in school . I didn't like it . So I am being consistent. I was new to the school at the time .
A.John Blake June 19, 2013 at 06:22 am
I have no problem with a policeman in school. His ability to carry a gun is no different on schoolRead More property than elsewhere. Let us make sure we all understand that the man is a policeman, not a counselor. I think the idea that the children will be safer is absurd. Cameras in every public area in every school, monitored by the police ,would probably provide better surveillance. I object to any understanding between the Board and the Town which creates a hybrid officer who is required to act differently in school than he does on the street. In the past, the police have been hobbled by "arrangements" between the then BOE and the Town that the police would not enter the schools without permission. Investigations would not be conducted until the Board had finished its investigation. A "safe haven" had been created. This is wrong. In school, the children knew they didn't have to worry about police and acted accordingly. This is wrong. If the people want a policeman in school, let him be a policeman. Let him act as he does on the street. He is not a trained counselor . Don't think he will solve children's problems. At the moment, I don't think the entire picture has been given to us. I cannot believe there is not some writing between Dr.Dolan and the WPD which outlines the authority of each towards one another and over the SRO. I don't believe the BOE is about to allow the " fox into the hen house" without promises that restrict the policeman. I oppose any restriction of a policeman in the performance of his duty. I do not want to see the return of the "arrangements" of the past. The BOE and the Town must provide us with the full agreement or we should dismiss the thought of a SRO.