Small Business Saturday is Here; Support Stores in Mount Kisco and Chappaqua

Nov. 29 is Small Business Saturday, and New Castle Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein — one of the founders of the Millwood-Chappaqua Chamber of Commerce. — has a Top 10 List of reasons to Shop Local:

1) Vibrant business districts help maintain high residential property values. Research shows that a healthy and vibrant business districts boosts the economic health and quality of life in a community. So, by shopping locally you’re actually benefiting yourself.

2) Vibrant business districts help defray the residential share of the property tax. Much of their taxes goes directly to help fund our great schools.

3) Small businesses contribute more to local causes and community groups. They support school and charitable causes year-round.

4) Small businesses are more invested in the community’s future as many are owned by our neighbors.

5) Small businesses offer superior customer service and a local touch.

6) Our small businesses sell unique products and quickly meet the needs of their local customers.

7) Shopping Local keeps money in town. For every $50 spent in locally owned stores, $34 returns to the community through payroll, other expenditures and taxes. If you spend $50 in a national chain, only $22 stays here. If you spend it online, $0 stays here.

8) Shopping Local helps to sustain vibrant and walkable town centers.

9) Shopping Local is an easy way for you to join local environmental efforts. Save money, save gas, save the environment!

10) Finally: do you remember what traffic is like Thanksgiving Weekend? Shop Local and avoid the chaos!

American Express card members can get a $10 statement credit from American Express after they spend $10+ at any qualifying merchant on Small BusinessSaturday. You can take advantage of this offer up to three times, for a total of up to $30 in statement credits. You can register more than one American Express card, but you must register your card in advance! Register your card here.

On Small Business Saturday, if you use an American Express card, you may get up to three $10 rebates (“statement credits”).

(You’ll need to register with American Express first.)

You can find out which small businesses are participating in Small Business Saturday here. You can even get your $10 back when you get food!

Here’s what American Express has to say about this year’s promotion in a recent news release:

From the coffee shop that serves up the most flavorful espresso to the florist designing beautiful arrangements day after day, small businesses around the country are gearing up for the start of the holiday shopping season with Small Business Saturday.

According to the third-annual Small Business Saturday Insights Survey, released today by theNational Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and American Express, consumer support for independently-owned businesses is increasing.

More than three quarters (78%) of shoppers say they will be spending more or the same amount on Small Business Saturday as they did in 2013, providing independent businesses with a welcome boost in holiday sales.

Held each year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday is a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country.

Five years after its inauguration, half of U.S. consumers report that they are aware of Small Business Saturday, and among those who are aware, 82% say they plan to patronize a small, independently owned retailer or restaurant on November 29.

Just as important, 77% say Small Business Saturday makes them want to shop small all year long.

“Small Business Saturday has gotten bigger every year and has been a big boost to Main Street America,” said NFIB CEO and President Dan Danner. “Local businesses have been enthusiastic about Small Business Saturday from its inception but what’s really encouraging is that more American consumers are making a commitment to visit their neighbors on Main Street as part of their holiday shopping.”

“In just five years, Small Business Saturday has become part of our holiday shopping tradition and an important rallying cry to support all of the small, independent businesses that serve as the backbone of our communities,” said Denise Pickett, President, American Express OPEN.

“The holiday shopping season can be a make-or-break moment for many small business owners. Small Business Saturday puts these businesses in a better position to compete for more customers and sales.”

Consumer Incentives to Shop Small
American Express will give Card Members a special offer for shopping on Small Business Saturday. Card Members will get a $10 statement credit when they register their eligible American Express® Card and then use the registered Card to spend $10 or more on a single in-store transaction at a qualifying small business location on Small Business Saturday.

Card Members can take advantage of the American Express Card Member offer for Small Business Saturday up to three times on the day. Registration is available at ShopSmall.com.

To find qualifying small business locations visit the Small Business Saturday Map®, available atShopSmall.com.