Small Business Saturday: Celebrate Montclair's Ever-Changing Biz Landscape

You might be the type who finds lining up at midnight for the best Black Friday deals exhilerating. Or perhaps you've already started working out your mouse-clicking finger for Cyber Monday. But if neither scenario appeals to you, there is an alternative — Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday, conceived by American Express to help spotlight the efforts of local small businesses, comes at the beginning of the big holiday shopping sprint — on Saturday, Nov. 26 — and encourages shoppers not to bypass Main Street for the mega-mall.

In Montclair, there already are loads of wonderful small businesses vying for your patronage—and more businesses poised to open soon.

For one, the European clothing line OSKA is holding a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Jerry Fried on Friday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at its new 5 Church Street location. Indeed, the first 10 customers through the door will receive a $30 dollar OSKA gift voucher. According to the owners, creative independence, quality, and sustainability are hallmarks of the OSKA label.

For another, Dalia Koudjaho said she is opening a store called the Dollar Zone at 19 Elm Street on Dec. 17. "Dollar Zone will present an opportunity for people in Montclair to stretch their dollar out further," she said. "We will offer all the basic supplies (toiletries, party favors, toilet paper), food and much much more."

Meanwhile, on Church Street is holding a massive sale as it gets ready to close at the end of the year. But the on Bloomfield Avenue is boasting an expanded new menu and beer offering.

Small businesses in Montclair and elsewhere are asking residents to "Pledge to Shop Small on November 26." If millions of Americans shop small, it will be huge, says the Shop Small facebook page initiated by American Express.

In its second year, the movement is expected to be even larger this year, with small businesses catering towards those shopping on Saturday.

Montclair Patch has been asking all week which small businesses you can't live without. Tell us in the comments which independently owned business is a must for shoppers this Saturday and why. Your shout-out could help a sector of our economy that has created 65 percent of the net new jobs over the last 17 years.

Some of the businesses already named by Montclair residents as some of their faves include Blackbird Lane, Watchung Booksellers, Salon Organic, Banyan Tree, Bamboo restaurant, and Sweet Home Montclair.

So when you must get your nails done just right, discover that perfect bottle of wine, or have a craving for an amazing sandwich, where do you go time and time again? Tell us in the comments section below!