Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28--#ShopSmall on Central Ave

Black Friday is just around the corner--but are you shopping just around the corner?

Small Business Saturday which takes place Saturday, November 28, encourages customers to show their love for local businesses. American Express, which started the event in 2010, provides interactive maps to help holiday shoppers find local merchants, as well as promotions and merchandise.  

Use American Express's map, to choose a local store for your holiday shopping, and you could save more than just money. Shopping locally saves your neighborhood and local jobs. 

Research has shown that money spent locally stays local, with more than half of every dollar spent locally, staying right in the area you spend it. That money contributes to local communities, schools and other businesses.

"It is important that people shop locally because the money stays in the community," says Sue Perry, owner of Central Florist. "We have been involved with shop small for five years now and each year we get some new customers in our shop." Central Florist will be open from 10am-1pm and they are discounting everything in the store 10%. 

"Shopping small can make a big difference," says Jennifer Grainer, Marketing specialist for Honest Weight Food Co-Op on Central Avenue. "Buying an item from small businesses will keep more money in your local economy than buying the same item from a chain store. So buy small, help you community grow." Honest Weight specializes in local and organic groceries, but also carries a wide array of handmade toys and gifts, as well as cards and books.

J.C. Glindmyer, owner of Earthworld Comics has been in business on Central Avenue since 1983, "a real feat," he says, but only small businesses like his can cater to people's interests.

"You can't get the service from a big box store on a Black Friday that you can get here," says Glindmyer. "We know our customers and we like our customers." Earthworld Comics specializes in the latest comic books, as well as fan merchandise. The banner outside proudly 

Shopping locally also keeps stores open in your area. Spend your Christmas dollars where you live and you'll prevent blight and vacancies in the area in your neighborhood, and keep family businesses running.

Rolf's Pork Store, another business listed on the AMEX directory, is the oldest existing meat market in upstate New York, and has been a mainstay in the Central Avenue neighborhood for 145 years.

Glen Eggelhoefer owns the store with his brother Edgar Eggelhoefer, and runs it with his wife, daughter, son, and nephew. "The stuff I make is all-natural," says Eggelhoefer. He says his average customers travels 20 miles to shop at the store, and they do it because they want natural, chemical-free meats and sausages.

This family store, which still houses its smokehouse right on premises, is getting ready for holiday shoppers again this year, offering turkeys, as well as a full selection of filler and preservative-free cold-cuts, hams, and wursts.

Check out the other stores in your area, and keep your neighborhood vibrant and your neighbors employed.