Shop Locally in Beverly on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on.

American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Beverly.

Last year, 100 million people nationwide participated in Small Business Saturday by shopping at locally owned stores to help boost the economy and their communities.

"When people shop locally, they are helping support the community in which they live, work and play," Plum Consignment owner Pam Hulbert told Beverly Patch. "As a business owner, it makes me happy to know that I have a community of people supporting me and cheering me on!" 

This year in Beverly, Patch has teamed up with American Express to host our first annual Park on Patch. We've paid for dozens of parking meters on Cabot Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Staff, including Local Editors Molly Buccini, Bobby Gates and John Castelluccio, as well as others will be stationed along the route greeting and meeting you. Just look for our green Patch T-shirts and meter covers!

We'll be handing out Patch swag—pens, water bottles, ice scrapers, hand warmers and more—and letting you know about our mission and looking for your input: comments, criticisms and suggestions.

Here's a complete map of the Beverly businesses participating in Small Business Saturday. 

You can also “like” Small Business Saturday on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/shopsmall.

Everyone has locally owned businesses in their community, and shopping on Small Business Saturday is the perfect way to give back to the businesses you know and love in your community.

TELL US: What small businesses do you patronize in your town and what makes them great? Share in the comments below.