Local Businesses To Offer Deals During Small Business Saturday Celebrations In LA
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Many savvy shoppers chose small stores over big-box retailers in honor of Small Business Saturday.
It's become a national event, during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the years, to support small businesses the day after Black Friday.
Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell announced he'd visit nine local and independently-owned small businesses throughout the 13th district.
Atwater Village, Kaldi Coffee, Proof Bakery, Amoeba Records and The Cheese Store are just a few businesses O'Farrell plans to stop at during his tour from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
O'Farrell explained studies show that when consumers shop locally, money is re-circulated, which creates more tax revenue for the community and state.
These businesses also contribute to the character of our community by offering a more diverse selection of goods and services, O'Farrell added.
Discounts and deals were offered in the Melrose Business Improvement District from noon to 8 p.m., located in shops across the area of Fairfax Avenue to Highland Avenue.
"I believe in the small business. That's how we keep America growing, starts from the bottom up," shopper Louis Avina said. "Black Friday's good, but Small Business Saturday really matters to all of the folks around here."
Up-and-coming musicians played the decorated streets during the district's fifth annual celebration.
At Goorin Bros. Hat Shop, sales were up around 10 percent from this same time last year, according to shopkeeper Mariana Lopez. She says her customers prefer the individual attention and intimate atmosphere at Goorin.
"Bringing people in to shop locally at mom-and-pop shops just helps keep stimulating the local economy, and I think it brings neighborhoods together," Lopez said.
Ryan Liebowitz knows the importance of keeping local businesses alive. His store Golden Apple Comics has been a staple on Melrose for 35 years.
"We like to pride ourselves that we're a family-owned business. We've stayed local the whole time," Liebowitz said.
Liebowitz goes all-out for Small Business Saturday offering deep discounts and fun incentives such as$5 grab bags, actually valued at $30, and a grand prize giveaway.
It's just one more reason customers like Joey Kochick keep coming back.
"There's a whole family atmosphere to it. They're a lot friendlier not only to their customers but to their employees. It's a lot more personal with small businesses to take care of everyone, customers and employees, instead of bigger stores who are just looking for the cheapest way out," Kochick said.
And the push to drive local business is paying off: according to the National Federation of Independent Business and American Express, consumers spent more than $5.7 billion last year on Small Business Saturday.
