Small Business Saturday 2025 In Melrose: See Sales, Deals

MELROSE, MA — Saturday, Nov. 29, is a crucial day for independently owned local businesses in Melrose. 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, which tends to favor national brands, and Cyber Monday, an online shopping event that this year takes place on Dec. 1.

The stakes for small businesses are higher than ever this holiday shopping season. They have faced increased operating costs, supply chain disruptions and overall market uncertainty. Unlike large big box retailers, they often lack the financial resources and operational flexibility to easily absorb increased costs.

The following local businesses are participating in this year's event:

Marco’s Salon, 202 Green St.
Rising Eagle Publick House, 505 Main St.
Caffe Nero, 503 Main St.
Giacomo’s Restaurant, 454 Main St.
Mexico Lindo, 449 Main St.
Kennedy’s Ice Cream, 888 Main St.
Victoria Hill Wine and Spirits, 538 Main St.
Liberty Bell, 219 Main St.

List small businesses that are participating and, if available, the deals/specials they'll have. If you can, call a few local business owners/local chamber chair for comment on the shop small day.

Since it started in 2010, consumers have reported spending an estimated $210 billion at small businesses across all 15 Small Business Saturdays combined.

There are more than 756,000 of small businesses in Massachusetts, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2025 state profiles. In addition, approximately 45 percent of workers in the state are employed by small businesses.

Local businesses depend on increased sales in the last few months of the year to help them reach their revenue goals, and you’ll find plenty of in-store cheer and holiday happenings that will make the shopping experience fun.

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 about two of every three jobs since 1995, according to the Small Business Administration. Even a partial collapse of small businesses could weaken the overall U.S. economy.