Second Annual Small Business Saturday

American Express Travel Related Services Company reminds Historic City News readers that today is one of the most important local shopping events in communities like St. Augustine – Small Business Saturday.

First, there was Black Friday — then there was Cyber Monday. Now there is Small Business Saturday; a day to support the small businesses that are the lifeblood of our local communities and help fuel the economy.

Based on internal spending data as of last December 2nd, American Express, the sponsor of the annual shopping event, told reporters that small business merchants saw a 28 percent increase in sales on Small Business Saturday, compared to the Saturday after Thanksgiving in 2009.

Communities like St. Augustine depend on local consumers, trading locally, in order to sustain employment opportunities and a healthy economy.

“People who live and work here, put their children in our top-rated public school system, and enjoy St. Johns County’s excellent quality of life, owe a debt to shop with local businesses,” according to Historic City News editor, Michael Gold. “Small, locally owned businesses offer choices and services not available from mass marketers and big-box retailers. We will lose those options if we do not make an effort to trade locally.”

A number of St. Augustine merchants are participating in the American Express sponsored shopping day, today; but, more importantly, they are hoping to meet new customers who will return throughout the year.