It's a funny phenomenon that's sprung up in recent years: The category-specific, all-day, local business-focused celebration event.
Call it a byproduct of the Internet era, with its oh-so-easy shopping, or call it just what people have possessed for hundreds of years: A desire to support the shop down on the corner.
Comic books have such an event in Free Comic Book Day, when fans flood local stores in early May. And vinyl outlets have Record Store Day, which falls on the third Saturday in April.
But for a long time many local shops that didn't necessarily fit those categories, and they didn't have their own attention-garnering daylong event. Then along came Small Business Saturday, one of the pearls on the shopping chain of days that follow Thanksgiving each year.
American Express is behind the idea, a notion that hundreds of stand-alone shops have put their own spin on, from discounts to entertainment to wider community events.
A few of those are due around Southern California on Saturday, Nov. 30. The We Heart Eagle Rock Block Party is putting a shiny spotlight on businesses around Colorado Boulevard and beyond. Orange and white balloons'll signify which shops are on the let's-celebrate bandwagon for the day.
Historic Uptown Whittier is holding its Holiday Sonata on Saturday, Nov. 30. Lots of local places'll be bustling, and the city is imploring visitors to "Support Small Businesses" on both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
The Scene
Want to find new things to do in Los Angeles? The Scene's lifestyle stories have you covered. Here's your go-to source on where the fun is across SoCal and for the weekend.
You don't need to call upon a larger event to send out the small biz love. There's an LA search up on the Small Business Saturday page, so scroll around and find your next favorite sock store or pet emporium.
