Forget Black Friday; It's All About Small Business Saturday

While millions of Americans are heading to the big chain stores and lining up at the mall for Black Friday, here in San Anselmo and Fairfax we're focused on the small shops that make our towns special.

Head to those local businesses for Small Business Saturday tomorrow, Nov. 26. Sponsored by American Express, and well in line with both the San Anselmo's and Fairfax's Chambers' Shop Local campaigns, Small Business Saturday is an effort to eschew big retailers in favor of stocking up on holiday gifts and other items with local merchants.

Want to find out more? Check out their facebook page. There you can enter a contest to win $100 worth of free facebook ads and find ways to promote your business online.

In San Anselmo, the Chamber has been promoting the Friday, Dec. 2 Downtown San Anselmo Open House with merchants offering snacks, drinks and goodies all evening. There's also free parking in all the downtown San Anselmo parking spots and lots until the beginning of January. So, you have no excuse!

In Fairfax, banners are hung urging people to not just shop local, but shop local in Fairfax. Chamber Executive Director Wendy Baker pointed out with , that'll more more money going to the town too.

Need some tips on where to head? Check out for some great local shops and the for all the local business news. Or, turn to your fellow Patch readers.

Share your favorite local businesses in the comments to encourage others to shop there this Saturday. Or, point out any great local shops having sales, specials, or holiday treats.

What's your favorite local business? Do you do your shopping locally?