Founded by American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday is the cornerstone of the company’s year-round Shop Small efforts. Along with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday plays a key role in the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
According to the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), 64% of respondents enjoy supporting their local community and cited service, convenience, and selection of products as reasons to shop at small businesses. Local firms give back to their communities, create jobs and healthy neighborhoods, and offer residents more choices. Small business owners understand this and support one another for their mutual benefit as well as for the satisfaction that comes with creating personal business relationships and loyal clients.
To help showcase local businesses, American Express has created a Shop Small® map displaying establishments in every state. We browsed the map and curated a variety of businesses that are committed to offering the best in quality and service.
New York
If you’ve dined in New York over the past twenty years, you have most likely eaten from Chefs Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson more than once. At Balthazar, Pastis, and Schiller’s Liquor Bar, the two chefs have perfected the type of casual but sophisticated French cuisine New Yorkers want to eat. At their new Tribeca restaurant’s curving red leather banquettes and wood tables, diners are served unadorned brasserie classics such as pig’s trotter croquettes, oysters, and roast chicken. Open daily for dinner. 241 West Broadway, New York, New York 10013, 212 334-3883.
Cote Korean Steakhouse in the Flatiron District was awarded a Michelin star for its meltingly good dry-aged beef, cooked on the smokeless grills at each table. The Butcher’s Feast is a must-have and includes four cuts of meat, banchan, egg soufflé, kimchi stews, and soft serve for dessert. Even the salt is geared towards beef—it’s a mix of Malden, Himalayan Pink, and Korean thousand-day sea salt. 16 West 22 Street, New York, New York 10010, 212 401-7986
Set in a landmark 1883 structure near City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge, the Beekman’s Instagram-famous atrium is jaw-dropping in person. Wrought-iron railings on every floor, a pyramid skylight, and the plush vintage decor match the period feel of the hotel’s in-house restaurants, Temple Court and Augustine, from top New York chefs, Tom Colicchio, and Keith McNally. 123 Nassau Street, New York, New York 10038; 212 233-2300
This concept boutique has a little bit of this and that plus a shoe garden on the mezzanine. Expect to find independent designers, one-off jewelry pieces, deliciously quirky housewares, and esoteric accessories. 18 East 69 Street, New York, New York 10065; 212 288-1338
Florida
First chef Giorgio Rapicavoli reinvented the Coral Gables dining scene, one Cap’n Crunch Pancake at a time at popup-turned-permanent restaurant Eating House. Then he did the same in Coconut Grove when he took up culinary residence in Peacock Park’s Glass House. Now known as Glass and Vine, the charming space sits in the middle of a bayfront garden. The menu is divided into Garden, Sea, and Land. There is an impressive wine list and a great selection of beers, but cocktails are the star libation. 2820 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133;305 200-5268
The Michelin-starred Sushi Azabu in New York has brought their intimate authentic Japanese dining experience to Miami with the opening of Azabu Miami Beach at the Marriott Stanton South Beach Hotel. The menu consists of izakaya-style dishes like robata-grilled yakitori, udon, Japanese fried rice served tableside on a toban-yaki grill, and of course sushi and sashimi. There’s also a hidden sushi bar adjacent to the dining room serving omakase menus by reservation. Open daily for dinner. 161 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139; 786 276-0520
Lakzya
This new luxury rental service features an assortment of designer gowns, jackets, and handbags. Instead of spending thousands, clients can rent coveted labels such as Rick Owens, Fendi, Valentino, Zimmermann, Escada, Chanel, Celine, Chloe, Oscar de la Renta, Lanvin, and more in sizes 0 to 20. Dress rentals last four days (or more upon request) and range in price from $80 to $600. 1160 Kane Concourse, Bay Harbor Islands, Florida 33154; 305 864-4746
Los Angeles
Melisse
This two-Michelin starred French-influenced contemporary American restaurant has garnered plenty of accolades—and for good reason—its prix fixe never disappoints. There’s plenty to make your mouth water, from dishes like wild mushroom soup with black truffle mousse to a tableside dry-aged cote de boeuf rotie for two with a potato-leek torte, wild mushrooms, little gems, and herb jus. Desserts are stunning as well. 1104 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90401; 310 395-0881
Lawton is prized for her organic products, Zen space, and her calming bedside manner. Even extractions are a low-key affair. Her holistic and natural approach to skincare and age management have guided her for over twenty-five years. 931 ½ North La, Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90069; 310 855-0895
The company was founded in Vienna in 1893, and since then they have offered the finest bath linens and accessories, exquisite table linens which can be custom designed to match china patterns, bed linens, blankets, goose down pillows, and more. Their impeccable service adds to the pleasure of shopping there. 457 North Robertson Boulevard, West Hollywood, California 90048; 310 273-4320
San Francisco
Leica Store – San Francisco
Offering the finest in top quality cameras, lenses, accessories, sport optics, binoculars, and rangefinders, the Leica Store also sponsors workshops, lectures, and photographic exhibitions. 463 Bush Street, San Francisco, California 94108; 415 801-5066
What began as a neighborhood bistro in 1971 has become a world-famous restaurant under the guidance of founder Alice Waters. Her organic, locally-grown ingredients are featured in seasonal menus that change nightly. The upstairs café offers a la carte lunch and dinner with an open kitchen, charcoal grill, and wood burning oven. The main restaurant features 3-4 course fixed menus which are posted on the website. 1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California 94709; 510 548-5072
This boutique medical clinic and spa offers top of the line products and medically-supervised services designed for skin rejuvenation. Services include injectables, BOTOX, laser procedures, facials, body contouring, and consultations. 182 Gough Street, San Francisco, California 94102; 415 255-9510
