BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP NOVEMBER 10 - NOVEMBER 16, 2017 19
BROOKLYN BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE
Gearing up for Small Business Saturday
Shoppers and businesses, get
ready! Late last month, American
Express announced its
lineup of partnerships and activities
to amplify the eighth annual Small
Business Saturday, which will take
place on November 25.
The annual celebration was founded
by American Express in 2010 and
is held each year on the Saturday
after Thanksgiving to encourage all
Americans to support independent
businesses across the country, from
their neighborhood cafe to the toy
store down the street.
Whether it’s the local boutique,
barbershop or sushi spot, small businesses
have a way of bringing people
together through shared interests
and experiences. This year, Small
Business Saturday offers people the
opportunity to share their favorite
places, discover new spots and celebrate
independent businesses by
giving them a boost.
“We are proud to see how Small
Business Saturday continues to inspire
communities. This year, we will
again celebrate the small businesses
that make our neighborhoods feel
like home,” said Elizabeth Rutledge,
executive vice president, global
advertising and brand management
at American Express. “We’ve seen
firsthand that when small businesses
thrive, our neighborhoods, towns
and cities thrive. So this Small Business
Saturday we encourage everyone
to visit the diverse range of small
businesses that make up the fabric of
their communities.”
Communities across the country
are busy planning Small Business
Saturday celebrations, from window
décor and sand castles to street
art and tree lightings. A new roster
of activities and events from American
Express will also help make
this year’s Small Business Saturday
inclusive and share-worthy for all.
These include:
*Discover New Stories with Indies
First: Indies First, the national
campaign by the American Booksellers
Association dedicated to supporting
independent bookstores on Small
Business Saturday, will once again
mark the day by showing love for
independent bookstores. Bookstores
throughout the country will celebrate
by hosting creative events and
activities with authors, supported
by publishers. To find participating
independent bookstores, visit www.
indiebound.org/indies-first.
*Celebrate with Your Neighborhood:
More than 4,500 small
business owners, individuals and
community organizations have already
pledged to be Neighborhood
Champions this year, committing
to host events and activities to
rally their communities on Small
Business Saturday. Shop Small
enthusiasts can show their love for
local Neighborhood Champions and
independent businesses by linking
up with family and friends to attend
these events.
*Join the Movement and Show
Your Love: Millions of shoppers,
foodies, public officials and other
supporters pledged their support on
Small Business Saturday last year. To
keep spreading the love, American
Express is asking consumers to
share their Small Business Saturday
photos, activities and favorite purchases
on social media throughout
the day. Everyone is welcome to join
the movement by using the hashtags
#ShopSmall and #SmallBizSat. You
can also RSVP to Shop Small this
November 25 and receive reminders
http://amex.co/2xNB3lk.
Check with local businesses in
your community to see what they
are planning for Small Business Saturday,
and visit www.shopsmallnow.
com to see a Shop Small Map of American
Express® Card-accepting small
businesses in your neighborhood.
November 25th is the eighth
annual Small Business Saturday.
Dedicated to supporting the diverse
range of local businesses that create
jobs, boost the economy, and enhance
neighborhoods around the country,
Small Business Saturday was created
by American Express in 2010 in
response to small business owners’
most pressing need: getting more
customers. Learn more at and connect
at ShopSmall.com, instagram.
com/shopsmall and facebook.com/
SmallBusinessSaturday.
BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/file photo
The holidays take on a special glow on local shopping strips, which kick off the season on Small Business Saturday,
November 25 this year.