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Stamford Shoppers Switch Gears For Small Business Saturday

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Lib DeNure tries to participate in any town initiative that boosts shopping, but she’s particularly fond of Small Business Saturday, which kicks off today.

Lib DeNure, owner of Hazel Daze in Fairfield

Lib DeNure, owner of Hazel Daze in Fairfield

Photo Credit: Meredith Guinness
Darien merchants prepare for Shop Small Saturday.

Darien merchants prepare for Shop Small Saturday.

Photo Credit: Contributed photo

“Honestly, I wish people would think more about the local businesses,” she said, standing behind the counter at Hazel Daze, a funky boutique she opened in 2012 on the Post Road in Fairfield.

Local merchants and town officials are hopeful that holiday shoppers will do just that on Small Business Saturday, a nationwide effort first launched by American Express in 2010.

In 2012, American Express estimated 73.9 million people shopped local on that day and, by 2014, shoppers spent about $14.3 billion in small, independent businesses two days after Thanksgiving.

“A bunch of businesses are gearing up for it,” said Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce.

The Brownstone, an independent fashion boutique, will host a two-day holiday open house over the weekend. Many items will be on sale and shoppers can enjoy refreshments, a raffle and complimentary gift wrapping.

Mandell encouraged Westport and Weston residents to consider all their shopping options all weekend.

“For us, it’s not so much just shop small, but shop local,” he said.

He invited everyone to return for the town’s Town Hall tree lighting and holiday party on Main Street beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 3.

Fairfield will pull out all the stops Saturday as the town and the Chamber of Commerce support Small Business Saturday and cheer on Santa’s arrival at Sherman Green in Fairfield Center. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features horse and buggy rides, a petting zoo, hot cider and more.

“It’s a great idea,” Chamber President Beverly Balaz said of Small Business Saturday. “This is a whole move to get everybody out that day to shop.”

Susan Cator, executive director of the Darien Chamber of Commerce, noted that 98 percent of Darien shops and restaurants are locally owned, giving the town a distinctive character. Many donate to local schools and nonprofits and deserve shoppers’ support, she said.

Shopping locally and small can be more convenient, said Desiree Witt, who owns Pious Bird, a Bridgeport boutique. She’s open for Small Business Saturday and will host a holiday shopping bazaar with 11 vendors from 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 3.

“You can do all your shopping and be done with it,” she said. 

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