Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29 is designed to support local merchants and retailers. Many stores in Darien will be offering discounts on merchandise. The event is supported by American Express, and shoppers who use their American Express cards at local stores can earn $10 back up to three times throughout the day.
"Any economist or business journalist will reinforce the fact that small business is the engine of the economy," said Susan Cator, executive director of the Darien Chamber of Commerce. The number of small businesses is growing, and spending money at local businesses brings more money back into the local economy than spending it at chain stores, she said.
Small businesses in Darien are unique from other towns, in that many of them are owned by locals, Cator said.
"You get a different level of personal service. The owners are part of the community, they live here, they're invested here and they have an interest in the community," she said.
She encouraged shoppers to take the opportunity to explore what their local merchant scene has to offer, and to dine out at one of Darien's local restaurants while they're at it.
"Skip the crowds, skip looking for a parking space and the long lines, and enjoy a local shopping experience."
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