Small Business Saturday In Harlem: See Small Biz List

HARLEM, NY — Saturday, Nov. 25, is an important day for independently owned local businesses in Harlem. It’s Small Business Saturday, the kickoff to “shop small” events that emphasize the power of dollars spent in local communities.

Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is sandwiched between the major Black Friday retail shopping holiday that tends to favor national brands and Cyber Monday, an online shopping event that this year takes place on Nov. 27.

The following local businesses are just some of those participating in this year's event, according to American Express’ Small Business Saturday tracker:

• Accesserelle (467 Central Park West)
• Beauty Sensation (45 West 116th St.)
• Book Culture (536 West 112th St.)
• Central Market (300 West 110th St.)
• Garden Of Eden (2780 Broadway)
• Janoff NY (2870 Broadway)
• Pet Ark Harlem (3458 Broadway)
• Pioneer (136 Lenox Ave.)
• Regine's (1896 Third Ave.)
• Star American Outlet (1950 Third Ave.)
• The Shoe Tree (2876 Broadway)
• University Hardware (2906 Broadway)
• Vintage Harlem Wine Spirits (2235 Frederick Douglass Blvd.)

Since it started in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $163 billion at small businesses across all 12 Small Business Saturdays combined.

In New York State, Small businesses represent 98 percent of all businesses and support 40 percent of the private sector workforce, according to figures provided by Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

“As the daughter of a small business owner, I know it takes hard work and perseverance to start and grow a business,” Hochul said. "Since the beginning of my administration, we have made historic investments in New York’s small businesses, which provide jobs, boost local economies, and have a huge impact on communities across the state. This Small Business Saturday and every day, I encourage New Yorkers to shop locally.”

Locally owned businesses recirculate a far greater percentage of revenue locally compared to absentee-owned businesses, according to the American Independent Business Alliance. Independents return about 48 percent of their revenues back into the local economy, compared to 14 percent returned to the local economy by chains.

Small businesses are typically defined by the federal government as those with fewer than 500 employees.

They are responsible for two of every three jobs over the past 25 years. Even a partial collapse of small businesses could weaken the overall U.S. economy, according to the Labor Department.