Retailers on Long Island keep ‘Small Business Season’ festive

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Thanksgiving kicks off the beginning of holiday shopping, and across Long Island, small businesses say they are ready.

Many retailers are taking the momentum of the 15th annual Small Business Saturday, which falls this year on Nov. 30, and extending it right through the December holidays.

“Small Business Saturday is now Small Business Season – incorporating a growing effort to shop locally well beyond one day,” said Eric Alexander, the founder of LI Main Street Alliance.

The effort brings foot traffic to local downtowns, offering shoppers a chance to soak up local charm, peruse curated gift items and enjoy a meal or snack at restaurants and cafes.

“There are nearly 60 events and promotions in downtowns across Long Island encouraging residents to support local business and bringing them onto Main Street,” Alexander said, noting that in 2005, there were just three events.

“Some of these activities include discounts and coupons from local retailers, Santa visits, pub crawls, parades and festivals among other festive options,” Alexander said. “These festivities offer an experience as well as shopping, services and food and beverage options.”

For owners, a shop-local-for-the-holidays campaign can help boost revenues. Across the country, Small Business Saturday reportedly generated $17 billion in spending in 2023, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which, since 2011, has partnered with American Express, the founder of Small Business Saturday.

Some communities kicked off the season early. Consider Farmingdale, which launched its campaign last weekend with a parade that featured the local school marching band, kickline team and more, with Santa at the village green, ready for photo opportunities.

The community’s “entrepreneurs pour their passion and creativity into their shops, restaurants, and services, making our area unique and vibrant,” according to a news release from the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce.

Shopping local, the chamber pointed out, is about “making a conscious choice to support the dreams and livelihoods of our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members.”

And every dollar spent locally helps to create jobs, keeping those dollars in the community, boosting the local economy and fostering connections.

Organizations, too, are getting into the shop-local effort. For example, the Long Island Association sent out a newsletter, highlighting some of the special promotions of its business members, including A&S Sports in Westbury, Baron Floral Design in Sea Cliff, Tabu Boutique in Port Jefferson and Bikram Yoga Long Beach, among others.  And Adelphi University recently sent a newsletter with a directory highlighting alumni-owned small businesses.

In Port Washington, Port Holiday Magic events include entertainment, special offers, trolley rides and more along Main Street across multiple Saturdays.  There are fire truck rides with Santa on Nov. 30, a stuff-the-bus toy collection on Dec. 7 and a window decoration contest and trolley singalong on Dec. 14.

And the Southampton Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Black Friday Holiday Market on Nov. 29, and a Small Business Saturday Event on Nov. 30. Le Closet is having a pop-up event with Mercer Street Shop on Nov. 30 from 12-4 p.m. featuring trendy jewelry by Carolina Cordón-Bouzán. By 4:30 p.m., the village will have a fire-truck parade of lights, followed by a tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks display.

The next month will be chockfull of events across Long Island. Check the LI Main Street Alliance Facebook page for updates.