There'll be sales galore on Small Business Saturday

Chamber, city urge residents to shop local this weekend

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“Historically, it’s been a good Saturday for us,” said Michael Muratore, owner of the West End women’s clothing boutique Rose & Eye. “It’s important to shop local — especially in Long Beach. Once Christmas is over, the town does become a little quiet, so this is kind of like the last hurrah.”

As shoppers nationwide prepare to chase Black Friday deals this weekend at malls and big-box stores across the country, the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is urging residents to shop local and celebrate Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.

The chamber and the city have partnered with numerous businesses in town to offer special holiday deals that will help remind shoppers to support independently owned stores, boutiques and restaurants.

“For us, our lifeblood is the small businesses here in Long Beach,” said City Council President Len Torres. “This season is particularly important because, although we have a lot to be thankful for, there are still many challenges facing Long Beach. We need everyone to help by doing their business here locally.”

“You’re pumping money back into the local economy,” chamber President Mark Tannenbaum said. “It’s important because it’s very tough right now. The middle class is getting squeezed.”

He added that 94 percent of businesses on Long Island are small businesses.

“You’re going to get so much better service in a local business,” Tannenbaum said. “Especially if you’re from the community. Small-business restaurant owners know who you are, and they treat you like you’re part of the family.”

Muratore said that his store, at 893 W. Beech St., would be offering 20 to 30 percent off all purchases on Saturday. He added that his staff knows the regular clientele, and customers often show an employee a photo of the person they’re shopping for to get personalized gift advice.

“I think that one service we have is a very strong client base — guys bring in a picture of their girlfriend and the sales staff know them,” Muratore said. “You’re not going to go into a department store and get that.”

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