Biz owners: Move over, Black Friday

SWAMPSCOTT – First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday and now a new day can be added to your shopping lexicon: Small Business Saturday.American Express created the first-ever Small Business Saturday taking place Saturday in an effort to support small businesses.The first 100,000 card members to register their eligible American Express card will receive a $25 credit after spending $25 or more at participating small business locations that accept American Express credit cards.Several local small businesses will be participating.Robert Simonelli, president of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce and owner of The Landing Restaurant in Marblehead, thinks Small Business Saturday is “a great idea.””Anything to get people out and about shopping locally while getting some card benefits is great,” he said.He believes many consumers understand the importance of small businesses.”Fortunately, I think the swing in people’s attitudes is about keeping small businesses afloat,” he said. “Getting more involved on a local level keeps this economy going.”He said he would be taking advantage of Small Business Saturday if he wasn’t working.”I’ll be here on Saturday working, serving my customers and keeping them happy. I’ll be interested to see how many of them whip out their American Express cards,” he said with a chuckle.Red Rock Bistro in Swampscott is also participating.”I think it’s a brilliant idea on American Express’ part,” said owner Paul Petersiel. “Anything that anybody does to help promote small businesses today is fantastic.”Petersiel says small businesses definitely face challenges to “stay afloat.””In this economy, the small businesses need all the support we can get,” he said. “We’re just the little guys and we don’t have those corporate dollars so we have to fight a little harder.”But Petersiel doesn’t believe enough people know about Small Business Saturday.Petersiel received a card in the mail at Red Rock Bistro informing him about the promotion, but he says as a cardholder he otherwise wouldn’t have heard about it.”It’s a great deal and I’ll definitely go spend $25 at some place, the only thing is I don’t know how many people really know about it,” he said. “I think they made more businesses aware of the deal rather than cardholders, but I do think businesses that take the card can benefit from the deal.”Carol Moore owns ShipShape, a gift and accessory shop in Marblehead.Moore says she thinks Small Business Saturday will make customers happy while also sustaining independently owned businesses.”This is something the customers can definitely benefit from as well as small businesses because it might drive some people to shop locally,” said Moore. “I think it will be interesting to see how successful it is.”But she wonders how many small businesses actually accept the American Express card as her business does.”I think it’s an interesting concept because I’m not sure of too many small businesses that accept the card. If the event proves successful and continues in the future maybe it will motivate some small businesses to accept American Express,” she said.Infinity Boutique in Swampscott got notice of Small Business Saturday in an e-mail blast from American Express and owner Pauline Spirito says she didn’t think twice about participating. “What small business owner wouldn’t want to participate?” she said. “Small businesses cannot compete with the big boys so an event like this could be very beneficial. We (small businesses) are the backbone of business throughout the country.”She adds that shopping at small, independently owned businesses can offer customers a more personalized shopping experience. “We know our customers by name, we know what they like and we can offer them personal, one-on-one shopping experiences,” she said.Infinity boutique is also hosting a day of “food, fun and fashion” on Saturday and will have a special visit from an image consultant for free consultations with customers.”Large chain businesses might no