Small Business Saturday kicks off holiday season in Lynbrook

Lynbrook Village trustee Ann Marie Reardon, left, and Sally Schutta displayed “shop local” support at the Lynbrook Irish Shop on Saturday.

Nick Ciccone/Herald

Phyllis Tocci, manager of the Olde Pop Shop, but up decorations to help kick off Small Business Saturday.

NIck Ciccone/Herald

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Lynbrook merchants participated in Small Business Saturday last weekend — a campaign to encourage consumers to keep their money local this and every holiday season. Shoppers at participating stores received free raffle tickets with each local purchase to make for a fun day of “shopping small.”

“We are small, it’s a small town — [if you] come up the block you’ll get something different,” said Phyllis Tocci, store manager of the The Olde Pop Shop, at 142 Hendrickson Avenue.

Tocci explained that lots of local stores, specifically The Olde Pop Shop, are better able to serve their customers because they know them personally. She and owner Mario Carluccio like to bring in items for their regular customers — of which there were several inside the store on Saturday.

“It’s a great place to come and talk to people and have a nice cup of coffee,” said Howard Ryder, a Lynbrook resident of 40 years. “There’s no personality [at the bigger stores].”

Brendon Clausen, and his daughter, Grace, stopped in for a Saturday snack. “They’re the only ones who’ve got the old-fashioned stuff around here,” he said, pointing to a rack of vintage candy, while Grace nibbled on a Rice Krispy Treat.

Sabine Pavone, an employee at the Lynbrook Irish Shop next door, was dressed in holiday Irish garb on Saturday.

“It’s a great idea the shop small, I like it,” Pavone said. “Most people around here know each other, so you’ll always see someone you know when you’re walking around.”

“It was great to see Lynbrook come out to support local businesses and shop small in Lynbrook on [Saturday],” said Jennifer Derrig, executive vice president of the Lynbrook Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Lynbrook Irish Shop. “The Lynbrook Chamber’s shop small event was a huge success and we hope to continue it next year. It’s important that we as a community support Lynbrook businesses that sustain our local economy, contribute to local charities and give a unique character to our village.”