Small Business Saturday, Holiday Party and Christmas Tree Lighting in Point Boro

The Chamber of Commerce in Point Borough is asking area residents to shop local today, Small Business Saturday.

The Second Annual Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

The idea, also supported by Gov. Christie, is for shoppers to support small businesses in America's neighborhoods and downtowns to help local merchants.

"We're asking millions of people to Shop Small^sm at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy," says the Small Business website. "When we all shop small, it will be huge."

The Point Pleasant Beach Chamber of Commerce offers a directory of small businesses that are offering holiday season deals to consumers.

The chamber in Point Borough is also sponsoring an Holiday Cocktail Party on Dec. 5 at Clark’s Landing.

"Please consider attending this festive evening with your staff," says the chamber newsletter. "This is a great way to treat your staff to an end of year celebration.

"The cost is only $35 per guest, includes delicious Clark’s Landing food, two premium cocktails and entry into a fabulous door prize drawing. We will also be accepting non-perishable food for Saint Gregory’s Pantry."

On Dec. 9, the Point Borough Recreation Department will hold "The Mayor's Tree Lighting."

The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at Community Park, Bridge Avenue. Mayor William Schroeder will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will arrive by fire truck, and light the tree at 7 p.m.

The event will also feature other Christmas characters, such as Santa's elves, the Grinch, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. The Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School Fifth Grade Chorus and students from Miss Maryann's School of Dance will also entertain residents. The Recreation Department will provide goodie bags for children.

The chamber will sponsor photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Regarding the governor's support of Small Business Saturday, a prepared statement says:

"Today, Governor Chris Christie and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno encouraged New Jersey residents to take part in the 2^nd annual “Small Business Saturday,” a nationwide campaign led by American Express to highlight the importance of small business across the United States, this Saturday.

"Residents are encouraged to use the Saturday after Thanksgiving, between "Black Friday" and “Cyber Monday” – traditionally two of the busiest shopping days of the year – to shop at small businesses around the state. New Jersey businesses with less than fifty employees make up over 96 percent of all businesses statewide and employ more than 35 percent of our state’s workforce, according to Department of Labor & Workforce Development data.

" 'This Thanksgiving weekend, Mary Pat and our family will join millions to mark the unofficial kick-off of the holiday shopping season,' said Governor Christie, who proclaimed this Saturday ‘Small Business Saturday’ in New Jersey. 'For thousands of small businesses statewide, this will be a critical period for sales. As the driving force of our ongoing recovery, it’s important that we show them our support and appreciation by shopping locally this Saturday. I encourage New Jersey residents to support our small businesses within the state by taking part in this nationwide campaign.'

"The Christie Administration has made advancing small business assistance and advocacy services an important pillar in its overall economic development strategy, providing over $180 million in targeted tax cuts for New Jersey businesses.

"Last month, the administration announced the state was approved by the U.S. Department of Treasury for $33.8 million in funding to further encourage small business lending and job creation. Just last week, the state renewed its partnership with not-for-profit economic development corporation UCEDC to expand the array of training, technical and financial assistance services available to entrepreneurs and small businesses across New Jersey.

“ 'Through the ‘100 Business Initiative’ tour and my ongoing travels throughout the state, I can personally attest that one of New Jersey’s greatest assets is our community of small businesses,' noted Lt. Governor Guadagno, who leads economic development efforts for the Christie Administration. 'I strongly encourage shoppers to support these entrepreneurs on Saturday and throughout the year to help boost local economies by buying at locally owned businesses.' "