Small Business Saturday 2019: Who You Can Support In Gaithersburg

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Wedged between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is Small Business Saturday — an annual holiday shopping tradition that encourages people to patronize mom-and-pop stores in their area.

American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 as a way to help struggling small businesses rebound from the economic recession.

"What began nine years ago as an effort to support local stores during the holiday shopping season has become the Shop Small movement, bringing together millions of shoppers, small businesses of all kinds, civic leaders and organizations in thousands of towns and cities across the country," said Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer at American Express. "Shopping small has a significant and positive effect on local communities, and we hope Small Business Saturday will help to amplify that effect during the crucial holiday shopping season. When we spend local, small businesses thrive. And when small businesses thrive, we all thrive."

Since 2010, thousands of stores have joined the movement and helped local businesses during the holiday season. An American Express survey found that U.S. consumers spent an estimated $85 million at local retailers and restaurants since the tradition started.

Here are some Gaithersburg businesses — according to American Express — that you can support on Small Business Saturday:

Dining

• Dogfish Head Alehouse — 800 W. Diamond Ave.
• Firebirds Of Gaithersburg — 390 Spectrum Ave.
• Il Porto — 245 Muddy Branch Rd.
• Sardi's Chicken — 430 N. Frederick Ave.
• Ixtapalapa Taqueria — 411 N. Frederick Ave.
• Barking Mad Cafe — 239 Spectrum Ave.
• Hibachi Sushi & Supreme Buffet — 8 Bureau Dr.
• New Fortune Restaurant — 16515 S. Frederick Ave.
• Kung Fu Tea Gaithersburg — 6 Grand Corner Ave.
• Hershey's Restaurant & Bar — 17030 Oakmont Ave.

Shopping

• Beauty 4 U — 333 Muddy Branch Rd.
• Gaithersburg Equipment Co — 700 E. Diamond Ave.
• Watkins Mill Beer & Wine — 857 Russell Ave.
• Grog Beer Wine & Deli — 536 N. Frederick Ave.
• Shadowland — 624 Quince Orchard Rd.
• L & L Music — 8940 N. Westland Dr.
• Red Wing Shoe Store — 16539 S. Frederick Ave.
• Jewelry Box — 7001 Russell Ave.
• Hanagan S Tire — 465 E. Diamond Ave.
• Tina's Consignments — 289 Muddy Branch Rd.
• Free Style — 701 Russell Ave.
• The Cleaners Solution — 201 Perry Parkway