Schneiderman, Bellone Join Small Business Saturday

Legislator Jay Schneiderman and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone did some holiday shopping in Westhampton Beach on Small Business Saturday this weekend, visiting a number of small business owners.

Among the businesses and owners were Elyse Richman of SHOCK and BABY SHOCK, Lynne Jones of Lynne’s Cards & Gifts, Lynn Stoller of Lynn Stoller Collection, and Bruce Jackey of Good Westhampton.

“Small Business Saturday” is an initiative launched by American Express in 2010 in order to celebrate and encourage small business spending. According to the U.S. Labor Department and the Small Business Administration, small businesses accounted for 65% of all new net jobs in the past 17 years and small businesses employ 65 million Americans.

A research firm employed by American Express found that $5.7 billion was spent on “Small Business Saturday” in 2013. The U.S. Senate officially recognized “Small Business Saturday” in 2011.