Small Business Saturday in Astoria

By Nicole Panettieri, Owner, The Brass Owl

When people ask me what I love about Astoria, I always say “the sense of community.” That sense is no clearer than on Small Business Saturday, when my boutique, The Brass Owl, and the myriad other local businesses are overflowing with local residents proud to support Astoria’s mom and pop businesses.

What is Small Business Saturday?

Small Business Saturday is a shopping holiday sponsored by American Express as a response to the craziness of Black Friday. Falling on the Saturday after Thanksgiving—this year that’s November 26—Small Business Saturday encourages and incentivizes people to get out of the malls and off their computers, and instead out into the brick-and-mortar businesses that proudly serve local communities.

Why is it so important to shop small, though? According to the American Independent Business Alliance, a “non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities become more self-supporting and resilient through fostering a culture that values and supports independent business and local entrepreneurs,” when you spend $100 in a locally owned store, $48 of that money ends up staying in the community versus just $14 from chain stores. Many of these stores are owned and staffed by local residents, which means that when you shop local you are investing back into your community. And as business owners and Astoria residents, we are dedicated to bringing you one-on-one attention, personalization, and the right assortment for your specific needs. So yeah, it should give you all the feels when you shop local.

The Small Business Saturday Retail Crawl Is Back!

During my first year in business, I was inspired by a customer who came in with a collection of #shopsmall pins that she had collected from each of the Astoria stores at which she shopped. I was so moved by her that last year, to celebrate our loyal locals, I spearheaded a group of independently owned retail stores in Astoria banding together for our first ever Small Business Saturday Retail Crawl. It’s kind of like a traditional pub crawl, only with more shopping bags and less chance of someone being sick. (That said, if you decide to bring a flask along while you sneak away from your family holiday gathering, no one will judge.)

This year, the Retail Crawl is back, and even more stores have signed on to take part! When you shop at 8 or more participating stores, you will be entered to win a grand prize featuring items from all 17 participating stores (approx. $600 value)!

Here’s how it works:
1. Print out the passport (download here)
2. Shop at least 8 out of the 17 participating stores and have your passport signed at time of purchase
3. Drop off your passport at The Brass Owl before 12/2/2017

We look forward to seeing you on Small Business Saturday, November 26. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and tag your photos with #shopsmallastoria. Follow along on our Facebook event, too!

But Wait, There’s More!

This day is not about scoring the best deal like Black Friday, it’s about supporting mom and pop shops in your community. However, as business owners, we like to thank you for your support. With that in mind, many local stores will have great discounts and giveaways on Small Business Saturday. Check out all the excitement and deals:

Astoria Bookshop (31-29 31st Street, 718-278-2665)

• With $20 or more purchase, choose from grab bag of bookish goodies
• With $50 or more purchase, receive a free Astoria Bookshop tote bag
• With $75 or more purchase, receive a free Astoria Bookshop tote bag or enter your name into a drawing for a $25 Astoria Bookshop Gift Certificate

Belief (21-01 28th Street, 917-832-6491)

• 20-50% off entire store

The Brass Owl (36-19 Ditmars Blvd, 347-848-0905)

• Double Loyalty Points
• 20% off all shoes and more specials announced at 8am
• With $10 or more purchase, receive a free Brass Owl cosmetic bag
• With $100 or more purchase, receive a free “From Astoria, With Love” tote

Broadway Silk (35-11 Broadway, 718-728-2519)

• 10% off sales over $20

Chateau Le Woof (30-02 14th Street, 718-626-9663)

• $3 Special – a cup of coffee for you and a chicken foot for your dog
• A free coffee with any purchase of large dog food bag or frozen bag
• Samples, giveaways, and a prize raffle

The Geekery (42-11 Broadway, 718-606-2853)

• Roll the die for a discount

HiFi Records (23-19 Steinway Street, 718-606-1474)

• 10% off new releases and re-issue vinyl
• 10% off Rega & U-turn turntables
• 15% off Kanto powered loudspeakers
• 15% off Elac loudspeakers

Jumping Bulldog (26-30 23rd Avenue, 718-606-0147)

• Launching new stocking stuffer candle line: Lucissima
• Free doggie happy hour in 2 shifts for daycare: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm (must be by appointment because space is limited. All dogs must have proof of vaccination prior to drop off).

Lavender Label (29-03 23rd Avenue, 774-255-3915)

• 10% off entire purchase
• With $50 or more purchase, receive a free bar of
• Other free gifts throughout the day

Lockwood & Lockwood Style (33-02 and 32-15 33rd Street, 718-626-3040)

• 20% entire purchase
• With $100 or more purchase, receive a free gift

Loveday31 (33-06 31st Avenue, 718-728-4057)

• 25% off entire purchase
• With $50 or more purchase, receive a goodie bag

Petals & Roots (31-27 31st. Street, 718-267-1700)

• 20% off entire purchase

QED (27-16 23rd Avenue, 347-451-3873)

• Holiday Bazaar (see below)
• With $10 or more purchase from QED (not vendors), receive 2 QED Show passes

The Stonework (37-06 Ditmars Blvd, 718-606-0828)

• 10% off already reduced apparel
• 20% off all denim

Toca Store (14-05 31st Drive, 718-204-8622)

• 20% off entire purchase

QED Holiday Bazaar

On November 26 from 1-6pm, QED will be hosting 25 local crafters for a holiday gift bazaar. Expect to come across one-of-a-kind ceramics, hand-made jewelry, imaginatively designed greeting cards, eye-catching art and super delicious treats. Inventive holiday drink specials will also be available from QED’s bar. So be sure to #ShopSmallAstoria at QED! QED will be featuring lots of great drink specials for this event such as $5 draught beer, wine & mimosas!

One Comment

Bob Singleton November 25th, 2016

You also must add the Greater Astoria Historical Society to the Small Business Saturday list – with the best in local merchanidise in tee shirts, books, (and more!) for that Astorian in you family!

Buy a book or tee and get a free tote bag!

Reply