Thanksgiving is a time when we gather at home with loved ones to celebrate, with an abundance of food, another year together.
It’s also a time when we show our appreciation to the small businesses, on Shop Small Saturday, in our communities.
Established by American Express in 2009 and held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the event, is also known as Small Business Saturday. This year, it falls on Nov. 27.
Since small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all businesses in the country - and employ nearly 50 percent of all workers - supporting your local small businesses is important to the overall health of your community.
With every dollar you spend in a local business nearly 70 percent of that money stays right in your hometown.
But while setting aside a special day to show some love to local businesses is a nice gesture, tending to them year-round is even more important, says Jessica Olander, president of the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“We should shop small and shop local all year long for the health of our business community,” she said.
She also stressed that with the pandemic putting strains on supply chains locally and throughout the country, holiday shoppers should try to visit local businesses as early as possible this year to make their holiday purchases.
The chamber this Fall is starting to look at new advocacy programs for local and small businesses through legislative agenda partnerships with organizations such as the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, the Small Business Administration, and the Small Business Development Center.
“When you advocate for small business you have a say on legislation that gets passed that can impact small businesses,” Jessica said.
Glastonbury Lifestyle partners with numerous local businesses throughout the year. Here is a list of the ones where you can shop, utilize their services or buy gift certificates for the people on your holiday shopping lists and some Small Saturday specials.
DeRosa Fine Diamonds, 49 Welles St., Suite 214. 203-907-8633
E. Draghi's & Sons Farmstand, 80 Main St. 860-633-2197
Eliana Spa, 136 New London Turnpike. 860-430-2110 (15 percent off all qualifying products on Shop Small Saturday.)
Emmy Lou's Gift Shop, 17 Hebron Ave. 860-633-9565
Highland Park Market, 1320 Manchester Road. 860-659-1717
Parisian Salon & Day Spa,9 Berlin Road, Cromwell. 860-632-2144 (15 percent off gift cards on small business Saturday.)
Roosters Barber Shop, 120 Hebron Ave. 860-430-9600
The Apex, 60 Village Place. 860-430-4515 (50 percent off any service on Small Business Saturday.)
The Silver Dahlia, 41 Hebron Ave. 860-633-1817 (Free T. Jazelle bracelet with a purchase of $150 or more on Small Business Saturday.)
Pinwheels, 60 Hebron Ave. 860-430-2954
Glazed Pottery, 60 Hebron Ave., 2nd Floor. 860-430-6255
Touch of Glamour, 2790 Main St., 2nd Floor. 860-633-8161 xxxxxxxx
Wireless Zone, 2450 Main St. 860-262-9999 (20 percent off accessories with any phone purchase on Small Business Saturday.)
Zinneken's Belgian Waffles and Cafe, 331A New London Turnpike. 860-781-8596
Foxy Pizza, 37 Welles St. 860-633-4635
GBury2Go, 2249 New London Turnpike. 860-633-0042
Cotton Hollow Kitchen, 840 Main St. 860-781-8555
Gotta Have It, 2235 Main St. 860-519-9356 (15 percent off total purchase on Small Business Saturday.)
Hops on the Hill Farm Brewery, 275 Dug Road. Info@hopsonthehillbrewery.com. ($5 off Growler Gift Boxes on Shop Small Saturday.)
Crystal Ridge Winery, 257 Belltown Road. 860-657-1004
Northeast Performance Institute, 750 Portland-Cobalt Road, Portland. 860-996-0800
Moore Wellness Solutions, 16 West Road, Marlborough. 860-622-8819 (15 percent off all aesthetic treatments and skin care products on Small Business Saturday. Free pharmaceutical grade facial cleanser with $200 gift card.)
The Best Wine Shop in Town, 2283 Main St. 860-633-3322
Gozzo Jewelers, 120 Hebron Ave. 860-652-0806
Kimberly Boutique, 986 Farmington Road, West Hartford. 860-523-4894
Electrology Associates, 39 New London Turnpike. 860-888-6327 ($5 credit toward first appointment booked on Shop Small Saturday.)
Carrie Draghi Photography, 860-633-4054. cdraghiphoto.com.
Thiele Chiropractor, 39 New London Turnpike, Suite 120. 860-643-8003 (Complete Chiropractic Health Screening, $49 when you schedule this month includes exam and x-rays, as needed.)
Sensations Day Spa, 39 New London Turnpike, Suite 128 860.633.4377 (Gratitude package for the Fall Season /Anti-aging and rejuvenating Facial, Sugar Scrub Spa Pedicare, Parafin Wax Spa Manicure for $145).
The Coder School, 39 New London Turnpike, Suite112. 860-470-6276 (Two free one-hour classes, or 50 percent off the first month.)
Electrology Associates, 39 New London Turnpike. 860-888-6327 ($5 credit toward a first appointment for every new client that calls on Small Business Saturday.)
Fuller Yoga, 39 New London Turnpike, Suite 30. 860-430-9642 (10 percent off class cards or 40 percent off first month of unlimited membership.)