It may be Black Friday, but New Jersey is already gearing up for tomorrow’s Small Business Saturday, a day to support local businesses and find unique gifts for the holiday season. Many towns in New Jersey have special events and promotions planned for this day, such as free parking, raffles, gift cards, outdoor markets, and more.
Starting tomorrow and running through the end of the year, the City of Hoboken is offering free parking for up to four hours in several parking garages to promote local shopping and dining. The participating garages are located at 215 Hudson Street, 315 Hudson Street, 28 Second Street, and 77 Park Avenue. Shoppers can also enjoy the Holiday Craft Fair at City Hall on Saturday and Sunday, featuring over 30 local vendors.
Meantime, 45 minutes away in Rahway, Holi Chow owner David Kovacs says it means a lot when residents decide to shop local. He says it helps small businesses have a successful holiday season. Holi Chow is a pet food company that uses human-grade ingredients and delivers to your door. Kovacs says he is offering a 10% discount on all orders placed on Small Business Saturday.
Other towns in New Jersey that are celebrating Small Business Saturday include Cranford, Haddonfield, Highland Park, and Sea Isle. You can find more information and details on the websites of each town.
Small Business Saturday started in 2010 by American Express and other partners to help small retailers recover from the 2008 financial crisis. The event has gained support from the Senate, the SBA, and many local groups. In 2022, shoppers spent an estimated $17.9 billion at independent businesses on this day.