Shop Locally in Redondo Beach on Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on.

American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Redondo Beach.

"I think (Small Business Saturday) is a great reminder to people that... you can't beat shopping locally and in small businesses," Rep. Janice Hahn, who represents Redondo Beach in Congress, told Patch last year on Small Business Saturday as she shopped in Riviera Village. "These are the businesses that are hiring people. These are the businesses that are really helping our economy."

Hahn also pointed out her belief that shopping local offers a degree of personalization that bigger stores can't always offer. 

"Small business(es) kind of help you pick out the perfect gift ... They know what your preferences are," said Hahn.  "It is friendlier, it is more convenient, and I think it helps the local community."

Last year, 100 million people nationwide participated in Small Business Saturday by shopping at locally owned stores to help boost the economy and their communities.

"Our customers really want to shop in small businesses," Veronica Maguire, who owns Lollipop in Riviera Village, told Patch last year. "They like to come in and have the experience and they can't have that on the internet."

When people shop at her store, they generally support other businesses in Riviera Village by eating at the restaurants or browsing other stores on the street, Maguire said.

"(Shopping local) builds community, and that is what we really need in this environment," said Maguire.

Hundreds of Redondo Beach businesses in all parts of town are partaking in the Small Business Saturday celebration this year. To encourage its cardholders to "Shop Small," American Express is offering a $25 bonus to customers who spend $25 or more at a participating small business on Saturday. To take advantage of the bonus, shoppers must enroll their cards online.

Participating businesses include Catalina Coffee Co., T's Toe Rings and Gifts, Hudson House, Sunshine Kite Co., Quality Seafood, Select Beer, Good Stuff, Beauty Loops, Pinkybeach, Tic Time, Yanagi Japanese Bistro, Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore and Neighborhood Grinds, among many, many others. Shoppers can find a map with all participating businesses on the American Express website.

You can also “like” Small Business Saturday on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/shopsmall.

Everyone has locally owned businesses in their community, and shopping on Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to give back to the businesses you know and love in your community.

Associate local editor John Schreiber contributed to this report.