Small Business Saturday Gets A Boost From Monmouth Programs

FREEHOLD, NJ — Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25 and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is all behind the idea.

Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Division of Economic Development, said “Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to support our local businesses. Please be sure to visit your favorite local shop or restaurant as you prepare for the holiday season.”

The county is involved in several local business initiatives:

• Holiday Made in Monmouth is Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert J. Collins Arena on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. More than 200 vendors, who manufacture their products in Monmouth County, will showcase a wide variety of accessories, art, food and drink, jewelry, home décor and more. To learn more about the 2023 Holiday Made in Monmouth expo and to view a directory of more than 200 vendors scheduled to participate in the event, go to www.MadeinMonmouth.com.
• Monmouth County also has initiatives and programs to promote small businesses such as Grown in Monmouth, which helps Monmouth County growers maintain and promote the County’s agriculture industry.
• Brewed and Distilled in Monmouth assists residents and visitors learn more about the breweries, wineries and distilleries throughout Monmouth County. There's also a meadery - Beach Bee Meadery - in Long Branch.

The commissioners were just in Red Bank at the start of the fall tourism season to promote events for the fall.

And Red Bank RiverCenter is also a big supporter of the "shop local" concept at its many distinctive small businesses.

RiverCenter is giving away $5,000 in Red Bank Bucks digital gift cards this Small Business Saturday at 10 a.m. at Toast City Diner, the organization says.

Get your $25 gift card (limit 1 per family) and enjoy complimentary breakfast bites. Use it right away or gift it to someone for the holidays, RiverCenter says.

Small Business Saturday is a one-day event that takes place every November on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The event was created in 2010 by American Express as a way to encourage support for small businesses during the Great Recession, according to the federal Small Business Administration.

For more information about the Monmouth County Division of Economic Development, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.