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Organizations encourage consumers to support local businesses on November 24
Schenectady, NY (Nov. 20, 2018) – Two local business organizations are working together for the fifth straight year to drive community awareness of Small Business Saturday and to kick off the holiday shopping season for Schenectady’s independent businesses. This year, the big day is Saturday, November 24. The Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) and Capital Region Chamber held a press conference with elected officials and business owners on Tuesday, November 20 at City Hall to announce participants and activities for Small Business Saturday in Schenectady and to encourage the community to shop small.
Said Jim Salengo, Executive Director of the DSIC, “Year after year, our local businesses are definitely seeing the positive influence of Small Business Saturday. We invite shoppers from all over the greater Capital Region to discover the unique treasures and one-of-a-kind experiences offered by Schenectady’s many new and well-established independent businesses.”
Said Mark Eagan, President & CEO of the Capital Region Chamber, “Small Business Saturday puts a spotlight on the importance of shopping locally when possible. The businesses participating in our Small Business Saturday Schenectady partnership will have items on hand to celebrate with their customers.”
Said Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady, “Small Business Saturday stresses the importance of local businesses on our City’s overall success. Schenectady has always had a tremendous sense of community, so I encourage everyone to come out and support the many independent businesses that make Schenectady a wonderful place to live, work and visit.”
Said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, “This Saturday, and throughout the holiday season, I encourage shoppers to seek out small businesses in our community. Our local businesses offer unique products you just can’t find anywhere else, as well as personalized customer service and expertise that make the shopping experience more enjoyable. When you buy local, you’re not only helping the local economy, you’re also helping your neighbors.”
In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help independent businesses with their most pressing need – getting more customers. The single day has grown into a powerful annual movement with impressive results. According to American Express, in 2017 more than 7,200 small businesses and organizations signed up to be Neighborhood Champions. Also in 2017, an estimated 108 million people went out to shop at small independent businesses, and total spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent brick-and-mortar stores on Small Business Saturday reached $12.9 billion. Since Small Business Saturday started, U.S. customers have reported spending an estimated total of $85 billion at independent retailers and restaurants — that’s $85 billion over eight days alone.
Nearly 30 local businesses in Schenectady have created in-store specials, drawings, giveaways and more specifically for the Small Business Saturday Schenectady promotion. For a list of specials, as well as more information on Schenectady’s local businesses and the nationwide Small Business Saturday promotion, visit www.downtownschenectady.org, www.capitalregionchamber.com and www.shopsmall.org.
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