Support your downtown Elgin businesses on Small Business Saturday Nov. 30

For Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin encourages residents to support the local businesses in and near downtown. For details, visit www.downtownelgin.com/smallbusinesssaturday/ or www.facebook.com/downtownelgin/.

What's the importance of shopping local? In a 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study, commissioned by American Express, it shows that, on average, for every dollar you spend at a small business, 67 cents stays in the local community (44 cents goes to the small business owner and employee wages and benefits; and 23 cents get reinvested in other local businesses).

Furthermore, every dollar spent at small businesses creates, on average, an additional 50 cents in economic impacts for the local community (30 cents from businesses spending on local supplies and vendors; and 20 cents spent locally by business owners and employees).

The study found that if small businesses in the U.S., defined as businesses employing fewer than 100 employees, were a country, they would have a GDP of $4.8 trillion, equivalent to the GDP of Japan, the third largest economy in the world.

The study also demonstrated the extent to which small businesses support jobs locally. In addition to small businesses directly employing members of the community, spending by those small businesses and their employees in the area also supports local jobs. In fact, for every 10 jobs at a small business, another seven are supported in the local community.

Now in its 10th year, Small Business Saturday continues to be an annual holiday shopping tradition - just one part of the larger Shop Small Movement that supports small businesses every day and everywhere.

So shop and dine locally on Downtown Elgin Small Business Saturday and throughout the year!

Shop for $5 art from the Oddball Art Machine, a repurposed 1950s Fleetwood Fawn cigarette vending machine that has been converted to sell artwork the size of cigarette packs. It is parked this month at Blue Box Cafe. If you spend just $75 on Small Business Saturday, you may receive a free art piece from the Oddball Art Machine; punch cards available at most businesses.

The following businesses are participating:

• Al's Cafe, 43 DuPage Court: Try an entree for lunch or dinner from their special November menu featuring five varieties of salmon dishes (Tandoori Salmon, Citric Salmon, Teriyaki Salmon, Vin Blanc Salmon and Brazilian Salmon) from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Order $25 gift certificate and receive a free box of Chef Tony's chocolate truffles for your someone special.

• Arabica Cafe, 59 Douglas: Start your shopping day with a gourmet breakfast sandwich and hot coffee from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Bella's Bridal, 156 E. Chicago St.: Shop gowns and glittery accessories perfect for your special occasions from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Blue Box Cafe, 176 E. Chicago St.: Try their popular Turkey Gobbler sandwich for $7.99 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Bricks Wood Fired Pizza, 64 S. Grove Ave.: Take a shopping break with delicious appetizers, gourmet brick-oven pizza and tasty cocktails from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Cafe Revive, 51 S. Grove Ave.: Enjoy a homemade breakfast, a light lunch or freshly baked treat with a cup of coffee from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Danny's On Douglas, 231 Douglas: Try their popular thin-crust sausage pizza and drinks from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

• Delish Cakes, 213 E. Chicago St.: Treat yourself to a gourmet cupcake or sweet treats and grab some extra to take home from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Dog's Paw Brewing, 74 S. Grove Ave.: Dog's Paw has you covered for a healthy salad or a juicy burger and drinks too from 1 to 11 p.m.

• Eaton's Redwood Inn, 118 W. Chicago St.: Stop in to relax with a beer at this Elgin neighborhood bar since 1954 from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

• El Faro, 9 N. State St.: Grab some tacos for a quick lunch or cap off your day with margaritas, open all day.

• Elgin Antiques & Uniques, 207 E. Chicago St.: Shop for everyone on your list with one-of-a-kind finds in jewelry, accents, pottery, glassware and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Save 20 percent or more off the entire store; excluding records and select items.

• Elgin Books & Coffee, 66 S. Grove Ave.: Shop for everyone on your list in this local bookstore and relax for awhile in their cozy cafe with coffee or hot chocolate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Elgin Knit Works, 8 Douglas: Check out the variety of yarns and supplies for the knitting enthusiasts in your life from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St.: Come refuel with a lunch or cap off your shopping day with dinner and drinks from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

• Escapade 360 Escape Room, 77 S. Riverside: Bring the whole family or group of friends for the new Santa-themed escape room from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Fanny's Thai Roll Ice Cream, 7 N. State St.: Experience a burst of fresh flavors with this unique "rolled" ice cream the whole family will love from noon to 10 p.m.

• Funky Rooster Tattoo & Gallery, 73 S. Grove Ave.: Shop one-of-a-kind art and T-shirts from noon to 8 p.m.

• Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave.: Shop "Gail's Sales" for a large selection of gently used books, games and movies at low prices from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• In the Cut Hair Studios, 17 Zeigler Court: Walk-in hair cuts welcome from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Jimmy John's, 50 S. Grove Ave.: Grab a bite to eat while shopping from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Kubo Sushi & Sake Lounge: 70 S. Grove Ave.: Experience delicious fresh sushi at this new restaurant from noon to 10 p.m.

• Las Gorditas De Don Angel, 165 E. Highland Ave.: Enjoy authentic gorditas, burritos, tacos and more from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Lounge 51, 51 S. Grove Ave.: Elevated cocktails, wines and eats from noon to midnight.

• Mama Lee's Gourmet Popcorn, 20 S. Spring St.: Mama Lee's famous popcorn in a variety of delicious gourmet flavors including the Elgin Mix, Chili Lime and more from noon to 7 p.m.

• Martini Room, 161 E. Chicago St.: Cap off your day with award-winning martinis from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. On Saturday, you're first cocktail will be 25 percent off. Last call at 2:30 a.m.

• Pastigel Bakery, 154 E. Chicago St.: Stop in for a sweet treat and consider placing an order for a special cake on your holiday celebration from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Rediscover Records, 9 S. Spring St.: Shop exclusive releases designated for indie record stores from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Salon Couture, 176 E. Chicago St.: Stop in for hair products and get your holiday hair and nail appointments scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Shockey Jewelers, 18 Douglas: Splurge on elegant jewelry or watches for the someone special in your life in December with special holiday hours seven days a week.

• Side Street Studio Arts Lab, 15 Ziegler Court: The launch of "MADE: Local Artists and Makers" will collaborate on a pop-up retail experience using innovative ideas in retail display, marketing, space usage and more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Side Street Studio Arts gallery, 15 Ziegler Court: Sign up for discounted art classes and Small Wonders, or shop SSSA and Elgin Fringe Festival merchandise and more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also works by local artists, new "Inktober" calendar and more. Also, check out the "Before My Eyes" instant photo exhibit.

• Soulful Sparrow, 10 Douglas: Check out the holiday merchandise and fashions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spend $25 or more on regular price merchandise and receive a 20% off coupon for one item, good in December.

• State Street Market Shops, 701 N. State St.: Shop 30 unique shops under one roof from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enter a drawing to win gift certificates.

• Symonds-Madison Funeral Home, 305 Park St.: Twenty percent off Thumbsies Fingerprint keepsake jewelry and lifestyle gifts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Toom Toom Thai, 23 S. Grove Ave.: Try out the variety of authentic Thai cuisine from noon to 9 p.m. Mention Small Business Saturday for $10 off $30; dine-in only. The restaurant is celebrating its 10th anniversary in downtown Elgin.

• Vida Yoga & Fitness, 50 S. Grove Ave.: Check out this new yoga studio and pick up a class schedule from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Whatnots & Whimsies, 211 E. Chicago St.: Shop the whole store and take 20% off, with complimentary refreshments from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• WRMN Radio, 14 Douglas: Visit the WRMN Redemption Center to snag some deals for local restaurants, entertainment and more from 8 a.m. to noon.

• Ziegler's Ace Hardware, 215 N. Spring St.: Shop popular brands for everyone on your list from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In 2010, as small businesses are hurting from an economic recession, American Express launched Small Business Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to "Shop Small" and bring more holiday shopping to small businesses.

By 2018, there were more than 7,500 Neighborhood Champions across all 50 states. They're not alone. Beginning in 2011, business associations, nonprofit trade groups, municipalities, and public officials started to unite by forming a Small Business Saturday Coalition, encouraging everyone to Shop Small. And nearly 100 corporations lend their official support to the movement. To learn more about Small Business Saturday, visit www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/shop-small/