Archive for November, 2014

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 29th, 2014

The last Saturday in November is known as Small Business Saturday. Here are a few ideas on how you might participate, just in case you are at a loss.

Breakfast

  • For your morning coffee, try an independent coffee place or even grab a coffee at a local diner. Better yet, have breakfast or at least a pastry. If you are in a rush, you might discover a coffee stand like Caffino in Campbell. Or, if you want to make your own coffee at home, try the blends from independent resellers, such as Tico Coffee Roasters.

Holiday or Gift Shopping

  • Check your local media coverage of holiday shopping, especially the alternative weekly newspapers, such as San Jose’s Metro. Many times the media coverage is also available online.
  • Also, look for stores, or even online vendors, which carry designs from artisans in your area. Sometimes there are local associations, such as SF Made or San Jose Made in the San Francisco Bay Area, which can help direct you to local artists. They may even have a pop up store nearby. Local crafts can also be carried within larger retail establishments or even at an independent store like Made in Santa Cruz.
  • You can give make your own gifts, such as art glass at Bay Area Glass Institute.

Lunch

  • Try a new deli, local restaurant or even a food truck. Check online or your phone app to see what is located nearby or look for a food truck association, such as Moveable Feast. (See additional ideas under the Dinner heading below.)

Pampering

  • Consider getting your hair cut at a local salon or barber shop.
  • Splurge and get a manicure or pedicure at a local nail salon, such as Campbell Nail Salon. Or, visit a full service salon for a spa day, such 1240 Salon & Spa in Willow Glen.

Errands

  • Been postponing having some clothing alterations done? Find a small alterations shop or ask your local dry cleaners.

Dinner

  • Start off with a cocktail at a local bar. (If you are driving, just remember to have a designated driver.)
  • Make it a special occasion by trying a restaurant, which you’ve never been to before. This year the Small Business Administration (SBA) has partnered with the National Restaurant Association to promote #DineSmall on Small Business Saturday. (If you run a restaurant, check out the promotional suggestions on the SBA website.)
  • Maybe go to a separate location for dessert, such as an independently owned ice cream or yogurt shop.

Arts

  • If want to watch a movie at home, look for an independent movie rental store or minimally choose an independent film maker. Bring home a new snack from an independent food artisan, such as cheese from Cowgirl Creamery in Point Reyes.

For more Small Business Saturday ideas, follow the conversation on Twitter using hashtags #SmallBizSat, #ShopSmall, #DineSmall and #ShowUsYourMoney. Learn how you can support local small businesses on Small Business Saturday, as well as throughout the year.