Small Business Saturday is a national event that helps to drive business to those who need and deserve it most – the small businesses. The intention is to get people out eating and shopping at the mom ‘n pop places that make cities and neighborhoods tick. Interestingly, Small Business Saturday was started by American Express® in 2010, to encourage the growth of small businesses, which are really the backbone of cities.
During the event, shoppers in Greater Buffalo and Southern Ontario will also be invited to enroll in a Neighborhood Champion program, an added incentive for small business supporters to participate in a Small Business Saturday Shopping Extravaganza. Participants will be issued Shopper’s Passports which will reward buyers with discounts at restaurants and retails shops. Four downtown check-in locations have been set up (HARBORCENTER Shops, WNYBAC, Queen City Pop Up at Fountain Plaza, and the Market Arcade Building), where shoppers can pick up their passports.
“We chose to be a Neighborhood Champion this year to celebrate both new shops that have opened in the past few weeks and those that have been here for decades,” explains Executive Director of Buffalo Place, Michael T. Schmand. “We also want to highlight how accessible Downtown has become to shop for everything on your holiday shopping list, and to encourage people to grab a bite to eat at one or more of our many Downtown restaurants.”
“Buffalo Place is excited to be a Neighborhood Champion and help support all the small businesses in Downtown Buffalo during Small Business Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 10am-4pm,” said Erin Carmina, Marketing Coordinator at Buffalo Place. “Our goal is promote all of our 
amazing Downtown shops, from Goodell to HARBORCENTER, and then encourage people to eat at our fantastic restaurants! Each shopper will be given a shopping “passport” which will receive stamps at every shop they visit. These “passports” may then be used at various participating restaurants as coupons for discounts (I.e. Half off on appetizers, 10% off orders, BOGO pints of beer, etc).”
Small Business Saturday is a great way to get to know your city and your downtown. There are a bunch of new places popping up all the time. Now is your chance to check them all out, while getting some holiday shopping done at the same time. Grab a passport, and be on your way to discovering all sorts of hidden (and not so hidden) treasures along the Main Street spine. And don’t forget to use the Metro Rail to get around – it’s completely free when used above ground.
Inset photo: Buffalo Adore – Facebook
Lead image: Furnishings
