Montclair Center Merchants Report 'Mixed Bag' on Small Business Saturday

While some Montclair merchants reported Small Business Saturday sales as fantastic, others called the day a flop. 

The first Saturday after Thanksgiving — and the day following Black Friday — was first dubbed Small Business Saturday three years ago by American Express as part of a campaign encouraging holiday shoppers to think small and think local.

Just Kidding Around store manager Gigi Garcia said Nov. 30 was the best Small Business Saturday yet for the toy and gift shop.  

Garcia, who has managed the Bloomfield Avenue shop for eight years, said she sees shopping small catching on not just at the holidays, but year round.

“It definitely has changed over the years for the better,” she said.

Eileen Lundberg, a regular customer at Just Kidding Around, said one reason to shop small is because local merchants give back to the community.

The shop was generous to the Montclair Fireball for Nishuane and Hillside elementary schools, donating a basket of toys for the fundraiser, Lundberg said.

“I think it’s great there’s a national movement,” she said.

But not all merchants saw a boost in sales. 

“It’s very quiet,” Hip Chic owner Grace Caravello said midday Saturday. “This weekend is always quiet.”

The clothing boutique specializing in fashion and gifts for tweens and teens offered 20% off clothing and shoes, but Caravello said it’s tough for small business owners to compete with sales offered by national retailers on the first shopping weekend of the season.

Laura Stoessel, a salesperson at The Accessory Box on South Fullerton Avenue, also said sales were slow, particularly compared to a sister store in Denville.

“This town has to promote small business better than they do,” Stoessel said, adding it’s tough for shops off the main drag to get noticed.

“This is part of Montclair, too” she said.

Small Business Saturday coincided with Shop for a Cause, part of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District’s Festive Saturdays campaign. More than two dozen shops in the central business district offered incentives to customers who supported a variety of non-profit groups.

Lydia Fantozzi, program coordinator for the Montclair BID, said the businesses she spoke to were reporting “pretty good foot traffic.”

“I hope that our community shops locally every day,” Fantozzi said. “But I think that Small Business Saturday is a wonderful way for our community to celebrate our independent merchants.” 

American Express offered cardholders who registered their cards in advance a $10 credit for supporting independent retailers on Small Business Saturday. 

Did you shop local on Saturday? Why or why not?