By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

November 27, 2014 – If you shop in Santa Monica this Black Friday weekend, as much as 70 percent of the money you spend, will stay in the community and help grow the local economy, according to “Buy Local Santa Monica” campaign officials.

With this in mind, Santa Monica city officials and business representatives are encouraging residents to participate in the fifth annual Small Business Saturday on November 29, the day after big, nationwide retail stores cash in on “Black Friday.”

Conceived by the American Express Corporation on November 27, 2010, Small Business Saturday was created as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which promotes large corporate stores and online shopping sites respectively.

By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to support and shop at local Mom and Pop stores. 

The Small Business Saturday event on Montana Avenue between 7th and 17th streets will take place this Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Organized by the Montana Avenue Merchants Association, the event will feature live music and special promotions at local retailers to help celebrate local small businesses and the holidays.

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend approximately $750 each on holiday related shopping this year.

“Local businesses and organizations are what make Santa Monica such a great city to live in,” said Jennifer Taylor, the City's Economic Development Administrator. 

Spending locally ensures that sales taxes are reinvested right in Santa Monica, officials said.

“Shopping locally makes a difference,” said Linda Greenberg Gross, executive director of the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation and a member of the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee. 

“Last year, local purchases raised over $7 million for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and resulted in the ongoing operations of summer school, the employment of 43 teachers as well as funding for a SaMoHi college counselor and new textbooks,” she said.

When you’re making your holiday purchases in Santa Monica, you’re giving back to our schools and our community,” Greenberg Gross said.

Santa Monica shops, restaurants and other local service businesses are offering unique gifts for the holidays. 

“Tis the season to Buy Local, Eat Local and Play Local! Santa Monica has over 9,000 businesses, with something perfect for everyone, and it’s convenient!” said Taylor, who also chairs the Buy Local Santa Monica Committee.   

The campaign has compiled a list of “perfect gift ideas,” which can be accessed at buylocalsantamonica.com/perfectgift.

Small Business Saturday also marks the kick-off to “Buy Local for the Holidays” festivities, which includes a citywide “Buy Local for Holidays” Sidewalk Sale from December 5 to 7, accompanying a number of events being hosted by various Santa Monica business organizations.

On Friday December 5, the Montana Avenue Merchants Association has organized a Montana Avenue Holiday Walk, which includes holiday shopping opportunities, festive music, refreshments and a visit from Santa from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The next day, the Pico Improvement Organization is hosting a Holiday Hop Along Pico from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Pico Boulevard between 26th and 34th street.

The event will feature multiple art exhibits, live music, refreshments, holiday shopping specials, children’s craft activities and an appearance from Santa Claus and his elves for the little ones.

Pico merchants will also be collecting canned food donations for the Westside Food Bank.

On the same day, the Main Street Business Improvement  Association will hold a series of Main Street Holiday Celebrations, with more than 60 parties at participating Main Street restaurants, shops, spas and fitness studios, along with a tree lighting, carolers, an appearance by Santa and a holiday window contest.  The event will start at 6 p.m.

In addition to ICE in Santa Monica, there are plenty of other fun activities being hosted on the Third Street Promenade and at Santa Monica Place. (“Santa Monica on ICE” November 11, 2014)

Events include story time with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa, Menorah Lightings, Christmas Karaoke and movie night.

For more information on Santa Monica’s holiday events, including Bergamot Station Arts Center 30 Open Doors Holiday Open House and the 6th Annual SANTA Monica Pub Crawl, visit www.buylocalsm.com/events.

Also, throughout the holiday season, the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau is putting on its Extra Bedroom Program, which offers “locals only” discounts at 18 Santa Monica hotels until January 23, 2015. 

For details and rates, visit www.santamonica.com/extrabedroom.