Small Business Saturday was first observed in the United States on Nov. 27, 2010. It is a holiday similar to that of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and focuses on small businesses rather than large chain stores.
 
In Scotch Plains, the holidays manifests itself through the stores downtown. These stores serve the SPF community all year long and Small Business Saturday is their moment to shine. With support from Mayor Al Smith and Scotch Plains residents alike, they are sure to see many customers.
 
At the Little Shop of Comics, the store was packed with eager customers ready to take up the offers on reduced prices and 2-for-one specials. This comic and game store has been around since 1995 and has since been the focus of enthusiasts and common passersby. Their clearance section was all but cleaned out. The Shop Small sign on their window clearly advertised the holiday sales.
 
Uptown Vintage, a home and gift store, offers unique antique finds at low prices. Their holiday sale included Christmas ornaments at a buy one, get one half-off sale. The store’s plethora of holiday-themed presents makes it the perfect place to find gifts for everyone on your list.
 
Other stores participating in Small Business Saturday included Duke’s Pet Den, Winterhill Antiques and Scotch Plains Music Center. These types of local stores are what makes Scotch Plains a unique place to live and supporting them is an important part of helping the town thrive.