NEW YORK — Small Business Saturday 2024 is here, putting the spotlight on local shops and the people who run them for the 15th year.
In New York City, small business owners hope to attract new and old customers during the holiday shopping rush.
46% of Americans work for small businesses, the agency says
Advocates call the weekend shopping holiday a time to remember and support the nation’s backbone, as 46% of Americans work for small businesses, according to the US Small Business Association.
In Forest Hills, Queens, mini turkeys are traded for Santas and dreidels at Aigner Chocolates, just in time for Saturday.
“I know it’s easy for us to shop at home. It’s easy for us to shop online,” said owner Rachel Kellner, who hopes to see an increase in visitors throughout the weekend.
The 95-year-old store relies on generations of loyalty to the neighborhood.
“When you come into the store, like the smell and the taste of the samples, you can’t get that feeling in most other places,” Kellner said.
“You get to know the customers. It’s family. It becomes family.”
Just down Metropolitan Avenue, at Aigner Chocolates, Wagging Tails Small Business Saturday gave away goodie bags as a thank you
Manager Crystal Catalano says there’s something special about coming into a store like this instead of a big box store.
“You get to know the customers. It’s family. It becomes family,” Catalano said.
“Maybe on Small Business Saturday you get out and support a business that you’ve never supported before, and then you shop there regularly,” Kellner said. “That could really change the future for everyone who touches small businesses.”
The symbol of Small Business Saturday may be more meaningful than ever as e-commerce and the fallout from the pandemic continue to threaten the culture and character of New York’s shopping streets.
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