News
November 24, 2015Partnership Announces Small Business Saturday In Schenectady
Three Schenectady business organizations are working together again this year to drive community awareness of Small Business Saturday and to kick off the holiday shopping season for Schenectady’s local businesses. This year, the big day is Saturday, November 28. The Small Business Saturday Schenectady Partnership consists of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC), Capital Region Chamber, and Upper Union Street Business Improvement District (BID).
In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday to help independent businesses with their most pressing need — getting more customers. The day encourages people to shop at small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, immediately following Black Friday and just before Cyber Monday. The single day has grown into a powerful movement, and more people are taking part than ever before. According to American Express, in 2014 customers spent an estimated $14.3 billion at small independent businesses on this day.
Nearly 40 local businesses in Schenectady have created in-store specials, contests, giveaways, and more specifically for the Partnership’s Small Business Saturday promotion. The goal is to boost excitement for the day and to bring more customers into Schenectady for a full day of shopping, dining, and exploring.
The Small Business Saturday Schenectady Partnership held a press conference on Tuesday, November 24 at 11 a.m. at City Hall to announce participants and activities for Small Business Saturday. Mayor Gary McCarthy joined NYS Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and local business owners Richard Mare, Downtown Designs and president of the Jay Street Business Association, and Chris Mastroianni, Michael’s Shoe Service & The Last Gentleman Co., to invite the community to shop small on November 28.
Said Jim Salengo, Executive Director of the DSIC, “Year after year, our local businesses are definitely seeing the positive influence of Small Business Saturday. We invite shoppers to come out on November 28 – and throughout the entire holiday season—to discover the many unique treasures and one-of-a-kind experiences offered by Schenectady’s fantastic independent businesses.”
Said Chuck Steiner, President of the Capital Region Chamber, “Each of us in the Small Business Saturday Schenectady Partnership has signed up to be a Neighborhood Champion and receive special tools to promote the day. Participating businesses will have a mix of Small Business Saturday items on hand to celebrate with their customers. It will be a great day in Schenectady.”
Said Marie DeBrocky, Chair of the Upper Union Street BID, “We jumped at the opportunity to promote Small Business Saturday again this year in partnership with the DSIC and Chamber. While we each work to promote our individual member businesses throughout the year, this is a perfect way to showcase a large cross-section of hardworking entrepreneurs that make Schenectady a fantastic place to shop, dine, work, live and play.”
For more information on Small Business Saturday and Schenectady’s local businesses, please visit www.shopsmall.com, www.downtownschenectady.org, www.capitalregionchamber.com and www.upperunionstreet.com.
