NEW YORK CITY — Black Friday may be underway at big-box stores across the city, but the savings will continue through the weekend with the return of Small Business Saturday.
The shop-local initiative, now in its third year, is intended to give mom-and-pop shops the same kind of boost mega-chains get from Black Friday and online outlets get from Cyber Monday.
The event will offer discounts across the city — likely without Friday's crush. Plus, shoppers will be helping local stores still struggling with a weak economy and with the added burden of Hurricane Sandy, which left many badly damaged and in the dark.
“Obviously, with the economic challenges we’ve had over the last three or four years it's been tough. Many are just hanging on by a thread," said Nancy Ploeger, president of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “This holiday season is going to be a make or break for a lot of those businesses."
To help encourage local sales, American Express will be giving cardholders who pre-register their cards a one-time $25 credit when they make a purchase of $25 or more at any independently owned store participating in small business Saturday that regularly accepts AmEx cards. A complete list of eligible shops is available here. You can register your card by clicking here before 11:59 p.m. MST Saturday.
But even if you don’t have an AmEx card, many local businesses will be offering promotions and freebies. Here are some of the best:
MANHATTAN
Lower East Side & East Village:
Butter Lane Cupcakes, which specializes in customizable treats, is offering a deep discount on one dozen assorted cupcakes in delectable seasonal flavors including sea salt chocolate, pumpkin, raspberry, cream cheese, peanut better, maple pecan, and cranberry. The dozen has been marked down from $36 to $25. And if you use an enrolled AmEx card and count your $25 credit – your cupcakes works out to be: free! 123 E. 7th St. 212-677-2880.
Cloak & Dagger, a unique vintage-feel boutique specializing in indie-cult favorite lines including Opening Ceremony, Karen Walker, Sessun and House of Holland, will be offering 10 percent off store-wide, as well as 25 percent off all shoes Friday through Sunday. Online shoppers who use a “paint it black” promo code can also get 15 percent off Friday through Sunday. 441 E. 9th St. 212-673-0500.
Greenwich Village & SoHo:
Palmer Trading Company, which specializes in classic, high-end men's wear, including British cotton and woolen flannels and rugged bags and leather, will be offering shoppers free home-brewed Apple Cider, home-made pumpkin and apple pie, as well as a 40 percent discount on kids’ leather cashmere gloves, and 40 percent off all Palmer Trading Company bags, including duffels and messenger bags. 137 Sullivan St. 646-360-4557.
Upper East Side:
Stylicious, an accessory and gift boutique geared towards tweens, teens and moms, will be offering a free gift with major purchases: a bracelet for purchases of $50, a scrapbook album for purchases of $100, and a scotch-tape dispenser for purchases of $200 all day on Saturday. 1418 Second Ave. 212-717-teen (8336).
Promises Fulfilled, which offers children’s toys, furniture and gift items, will have an artist on-hand all day to personalize everything from toys to cribs with hand-painted names. 1592 Second Ave. 212-472-1600.
Eneslow Shoes, which specializes in comfort footwear, will be offering $25 off any purchase of at least $100. 1504 Second Ave. (at 79th Street). 212-249-3800.
Downtown:
TriBeCa will once again be buzzing with deals and giveaways thanks to a hyper-local shop-local initiative, in which many shops will be giving extra discounts to customers who can show a receipt from another business in the area.
Tribeca Treats, a specialty bakery offering a wide variety of chocolates, cookies, cupcakes and cakes, will be offering 10 percent off all holiday gift baskets pre-ordered Saturday, as well as a free cup of coffee to anyone who shows a receipt from another participating area merchant. 94 Reade St. 212-571-0500.
Euphoria Spa will offer a complimentary pumpkin peel or Microdermabrasion and paraffin hand dip with any Fresh Air Facial ($70 value), as well as a complimentary “Wonderub” upgrade to any massage ($45 value). Also get a 20 percent discount on products when you show a receipt from any other participating area merchant. 18 Harrison St. 212-925-5925.
Polarn O. Pyret, which aims to make “the best children's clothes in the world,” will offer up to 25 percent off select dresses, skirts, leggings, pants, as well as festive Swedish refreshments, including hot Glug apple cider, mini-muffins and ginger snaps to shoppers through the day. 200 Chambers St. 212-201-1944.
TorlyKid boutique, which “has outfitted the closets and playrooms of the hip neighborhood" since 2004, is offering 25 percent off all winter coats, plus a complimentary scented pen to customers who show a receipt from another participating areas merchant. 51 Hudson St., 212-406-7440 (not working because of Sandy).
ARC Athletics, which specializes in sports rehab and customized personal training, will offer 25 percent off individual training sessions, packages of training sessions and gift certificates. 5 Harrison St. 212-281-6412 (not working because of Sandy).
GK Framing, which specializes in custom framing, conservation and restoration, will offer 25 percent off all archival framing, as well as 25 percent off of its special TV Mirror in One — a flat-screen TV that turns into a mirror when it’s turned off. 169 Hudson St. 212-431-0633.
Maslow 6 Wine Bar, which features an eclectic list of international wines and seasonal small plates, will offer 25 percent off all red wines by the bottle. Its wine shop, which features labels from boutique producers around the world, will offer 15 percent off Rieslings through Saturday. 211 West Broadway. 212-226-3127.
Bari Studios, a members-only studio that specializes in dance, Pilates, yoga, gymnastics and martial arts will open its classes to non-members throughout the weekend for $35 a class. A full schedule of classes is available here. Email tribeca@thebaristudio.com to book. 23 Leonard St. 212-966-2274.
Boomerang Toys, which specializes in quality educational children's toys and learning activities, will offer a free goody bag of small toys with each purchase that will include items like a pack of Silly Bandz, an eraser, and a tattoo. 119 W. Broadway. 212-226-7650.
Other local deals include: Shoofly kids’ shoe store (42 Hudson St.) will offer 20 percent off all hats, mittens and gloves; Tribeca Wine Merchants (40 Hudson St.) will offer 15 percent off wines (excluding rare wines) through the weekend; Petticoat Lane (149 Reade St.) will offer 20 percent off all sleep wear; Christina Lehr (139 Reade St.) will offer 20 percent off all purchases; Babesta Cribz (56 Warren St.) will offer 10 off everything, excluding sale items and Bugaboo products; Babesta Threads (66 West Broadway) will offer 20 percent off everything, excluding sale items.
Harlem:
La Casa Azul Bookstore, which offers an extensive selection of books, shirts and gift items, including books by 75 local Latino writers will be offering 20 percent off membership discounts and free coffee and cupcakes through the day. In addition, anyone who makes a purchase will be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to a Ballet Hispanico performance or two passes for a guided tour and reception of CARIBBEAN: Crossroads of the World at El Museo del Barrio. 143 E. 103rd St. 212-426 -2626.
Tonnie's Minis bakery, which specializes in mini cupcakes, will offer a dozen mini-cupcakes in flavors including chocolate, red velvet and golden sponge, for $10 instead of $13. 264 Lenox Ave., 212-831-5292.
Inwood & Washington Heights:
Brazen Lingerie, which specializes in difficult-to-find sizes, as well as nursing bras, nursing gowns, mastectomy bras and other lingerie, will be offering a buy-two, get the third free deal on all merchandise, except for breast pumps. 5000 Broadway. 212-567-5563.
STATEN ISLAND
Many of the businesses that participated in Small Business Saturday last year have been damaged or have owners or staffers who lost everything in the storm.
St. George:
Everything Goes Book Café and Neighborhood Stage, which has a constantly-changing lineup of artists and free live music and readings, will be hosting a free “Year of the Dragon Open Mic” featuring performance pieces, spoken word, and music beginning at 7 p.m. 208 Bay St. 718-447-8256.
BROOKLYN
Williamsburg & Greenpoint:
Moves Concept Store features items by local and international designers and artists who use non-exploitative labor, like Osborne shoes, which are made in Guatemala “by a small village where the workers are treated great.” The store is officially boycotting Black Friday, and will be closed in protest. But come Saturday, they’ll be hosting a free champagne and mimosa soiree, with 30 to 50 percent discounts on select merchandise. 419 Graham Ave. 646-504-0658.
DALAGA NYC, a Greenpoint boutique that features an extensive selection of cute dresses, shoes, coats, and accessories, is offering 10 percent off all full-priced items. 150 Franklin St. 718-389-4049.
Life:Curated, which specializes in men’s and women’s fashions, home goods and furniture “with character” will be offering 20 percent of all purchases, all weekend long. 186 Grand St. 347-689-9143.
THE WEST beer, wine and espresso bar, which is dedicated to vaudeville icon Mae West, will offer an extended happy hour from noon until 8 p.m., with $5 drafts, hot cider with Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum and Bulleit Bourbon, as well as $3 well drinks. 379 Union Ave. 718-599-1704.
Cobble Hill & Carroll Gardens:
Dear Fieldbinder, Lara Fieldbinder’s sparse Smith Street boutique, which is known for its classically feminine clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry, will be offering a 10 percent discount on everything in the store. 198 Smith St. 718-852-3620.
Fort Greene & Downtown Brooklyn:
French Garment Cleaners Co., which is located in a former Fort Greene laundromat and combines Stuart & Wright's well-curated collection of independent designers with other brands, will offer 10 percent off all items, free gift-wrapping, free apple cider and extended hours until 9 p.m. 85 Lafayette Ave. 718-797-0011.
QUEENS
Astoria:
Build It Green!, the city’s only non-profit retail outlet for salvaged and surplus building materials, which stocks everything from sinks to doors to windows, will offer a $25 discount on purchases of $100 or more. 3-17 26th Ave. 718-777-0132.
SITE NYC, which is located in a renovated garage, offers a mix of handmade, vintage and funky gifts, jewelry and home décor, with an emphasis on local artists. On Saturday, the store will offer extended hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., along with a 20 percent discount on any item in the store. Anyone who spends $150 or more will also get a free poster of Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. 35-11 34th Ave. 718-626-6030.
BRONX
Fordham & Tremont:
Calabira Pork Store, a veritable swine heaven that has been described as looking and smelling like “some mythical pork cave,” will offer a free dry pork tastings, with sausages and other specialties. 2338 Arthur Ave. 718. 367-5145.
Teitel Brothers, an Arthur Avenue grocery store that specializes in high-quality Italian gourmet specialty items, including hand-cut hunks of aged parmigiano cheese, will be offering tastings of Grana Padano parmigiano through day. 2372 Arthur Ave. 718-733-9400.
