Small Business Saturday 2024: What It Is and Where to Shop
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If you’ve never heard of Small Business Saturday, then you’ve been missing out on some seriously fabulous, unique holiday deals! But don’t worry—you still have time to shop and save this year. You can find every small business near you that’s participating in the sale event at the American Express link here. Participating stores may include everything from restaurants and bars to gift shops, clothing stores, furniture and home decor stores, and more. The event is a way to honor and celebrate local brick-and-mortar shops, and encourages us all to support our own local communities.
You can also follow and post about your favorite local stores using the hashtag #SmallBusinessSaturday to spread the word about the day. Shopping small is one of the easiest ways to influence your community and economy. Because when you shop small, you’re supporting families, local artists, and your own neighbors, rather than the large retail giants. And that feels good!
What is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday is an annual event that began in 2010, when American Express launched the first Small Business Saturday campaign to help support small, local businesses during the big holiday shopping rush. It began as a marketing initiative to give exposure to smaller businesses during the busy season, as big box stores can often overpower the market during this time of year.
When is Small Business Saturday?
Small Business Saturday falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday. This year, it takes place on November 30, 2024.
Who founded the event?
Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010. Since 2011, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has co-sponsored the event. This year, Amex is celebrating 15 years of local shopping support!
Where can I shop for the best deals?
Specific sales and deals will vary store-by-store. Some businesses will offer special discounts or promotions during Small Business Saturday, like BOGO deals or free gift offers. Others might offer various percentages off certain products. All of this will be dependent on the individual store you shop at. And, if you’re an American Express cardholder, you can even get rewarded for supporting local stores.
Any small businesses we should know about?
Yes! The staff at DrewandJonathan.com love to shop small all year round. We’ve highlighted a handful of businesses across the country that you should visit in person (or shop online, if they have that option!)
1. Hermine: If you’re in Minneapolis, you can shop this amazing vintage store in real life. But if you’re like me and can’t visit in person, they also have an awesome online presence. I’ve ordered from Hermine several times, and the owner is lovely and happy to answer any questions you have before purchasing. She’ll even try things on for you!
2. Runaway Poppy: This charming home decor store on the Upper West Side of New York has the most delightful gifts and finds for your house. If you need a unique hostess gift this holiday season, you should definitely check them out!
3. Big Night: Home chefs and hostesses, this is for you. This shop has the brightest, most fun cookware, pantry items, and gifts. They do have an online store, so anyone can shop there. But if you’re ever visiting New York, make sure you swing by because it’s a gorgeous store.
4. Tarin Thomas: Anyone searching for a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece that won’t empty your bank account will love Tarin Thomas. You can browse earrings, rings, necklaces, and more online. In-store, they also curate a lovely selection of vintage clothes, household trinkets, candles, and more.
– Megan Stein, Editorial Director
1. Vivid Coffee Roasters: I’m an admitted coffee snob (sorry not sorry about it!) And whenever I visit somewhere new, one of my favorite things to do is check out the local coffee shops. Since moving here from Philadelphia, I’ve been on the hunt for the best soy cappuccino, and I definitely found it at Vivid. They have a huge focus on sustainably and ethically sourced beans, all of which they roast in-house. Vivid also supports other small businesses, establishing relationships with small farms and farming communities to source their coffee beans.
2.The Vault Collective: For those always on the hunt for the coolest vintage clothing and accessories, this store is a must-visit. I’ve found gems here—everything from vintage Prada sunglasses to pristine Burberry trenches. The products are curated by a collection of vintage resellers, so not only are you shopping from a small business, but you’re also supporting multiple resellers in your own community. If you can’t visit in person in Burlington, Vermont or Providence, Rhode Island, they also have a small online shop you can browse.
3. Burlington Records: When I say this record store is filled with rare finds, I’m not kidding! This small record store in Burlington’s downtown district sells both new and gently used records, as well as high-quality turntables and speakers. You can shop their online collection here, or check out their brick and mortar storefront for their full stock.
4. Phoenix Books: With three locations across Vermont in Burlington, Essex Junction, and Rutland, Phoenix is a small bookstore with a big influence in the bookish community of Vermont! They hold a variety of free events each month, ranging from visiting author readings to comic book festivals, open mic poetry events, and more. Their collection includes titles new and old, with a surprising amount of limited editions, too.
– Bree Pulver, Digital Editor
1. Thistle Farms Cafe & Shop: Far more than just a lovely breakfast spot and artisan shop, Thistle Farms is on a mission to employ and empower women seeking sanctuary. Through the café and shop, they’re fostering a community of healing that celebrates stories of hope, love, and transformation.
2. White’s Mercantile: Known as “A general store for the modern tastemaker,” White’s Mercantile is your one-stop shop for everything from dog treats to handcrafted leather bags. You may walk in with just a couple things in mind, but you’ll walk out with a smattering of things that are absolute must-haves (including the incredible candle that’s burning as you browse!)
3. Humphrey’s Street Coffee Shop: The perfect spot for a yap and coffee date. And if you’re not in Nashville, don’t worry—they offer all their coffee beans (and other handcrafted goods) online! Plus, all profit is reinvested into programs and scholarship opportunities for the students they serve. So…french toast latte, anyone?
4. The Bookshop: Located in the East Nashville neighborhood, this women-owned bookstore is the perfect little book nook for any reader! If you’re looking to find a community of fellow book lovers, they hold fun events like blind dates with books, annual reading challenges, and monthly book clubs.
– Heather Speer, Digital Coordinator
1. Culture Flock: This store has the cutest gifts, trinkets, and more. Their mission? Equality for everyone, protecting our planet, being kind, and having fun. From T-shirts with hilarious slogans to cute magnets and pins made from local artists, Culture Flock has something for everyone.
2. Arkanseoul: This place has an extensive menu with all kinds of different Korean delicacies, and the owner rotates the menu based on the season. In the winter, she adds Kimchi Jiggae, which is the perfect spicy and savory stew to warm you up on any blustery day.
3. Más Libritos Bookstore: This beautiful bookstore is a “Latina-owned and intersectional feminist bookstore of new and used books that centers the stories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.” The selection of books is impeccable, and the flexibility of the bookstore being online and a pop-up offers multiple ways for people to access their selection of reads.
4. Pizzeria Ruby: Springdale, Arkansas is definitely more than a stone’s throw away from Chicago and Italy, but the pizza and pasta offered at this little shop can put any heavyweight pizzeria to the test. Go for the pizza, stay for the powdered sugar donuts.
– McKenzie Pendergrass, Social Media Editor
Online Small Business Buys We Love
