The Californer - Long Beach Encourages Holiday Shoppers to Shop Local this Holiday Season

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Long Beach, CA ~ As the holiday season approaches, the City of Long Beach is urging its residents to show their support for local businesses by participating in Small Business Saturday on November 30, 2024. This nationwide initiative, sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, aims to promote and celebrate the contributions of small businesses to their communities.

Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the importance of shopping local, stating that Long Beach is home to a vibrant and diverse small business community. By choosing to shop at small businesses not just on Small Business Saturday but throughout the holiday season, residents can discover hidden gems, support local entrepreneurs, and help boost the city's economy.

With over 35,000 businesses in Long Beach and several unique business improvement districts such as Belmont Shore Business Association, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, Downtown Long Beach Alliance, Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, Midtown Property & Business Owner's Association, Uptown Property and Community Association, Visit Long Beach and Zaferia Business Association, there is no shortage of options for shoppers. From boutique clothing stores to artisanal coffee shops and everything in between, these local businesses offer a wide range of products and services to fulfill any holiday wish list.

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Shopping locally not only benefits consumers but also has a positive impact on the community. It helps stimulate the local economy by supporting jobs and fostering a sense of pride and connection among residents. To further promote Small Business Saturday and encourage residents to shop local this holiday season, the City's Economic Development Department will be conducting a social media campaign featuring local retailers and business districts. Information will also be shared on the department's website and social media pages using the hashtags #ShopSmallLB.

To make it easier for residents to shop local on Small Business Saturday, free metered parking will be available all day in certain locations. These include street parking south of 10th Street in Downtown Long Beach as well as street parking and five public parking lots in Belmont Shore. Additionally, the City Place garages in Downtown Long Beach will continue to offer free parking for the first two hours without requiring validation.

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Small Business Saturday was created in 2010 with the goal of encouraging consumers to support local businesses during the holiday season. According to the national Small Business Administration, for every $100 spent at local businesses, $68 stays in the community. Shopping locally also has other benefits such as reducing one's environmental impact, promoting reinvestment in the community by local businesses, and fostering competition and innovation among small businesses.

In 2023, it was reported that those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday spent nearly $17 billion in the United States alone. With this year's event just around the corner, Long Beach residents are encouraged to join in and show their support for their local small businesses on November 30th.

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