Thanksgiving leftovers are within the fridge and prolonged members of the family are headed home, which suggests holiday shopping is about to kick into high gear this weekend with Small Business Saturday.

Across the country small businesses are hosting events and offering up holiday savings to get community members to support local versus lining up outside big box stores, and St. Paul is not any exception.

Zsamé Morgan, owner of mobile bookstore Babycake’s Book Stack, said if you shop locally, you’re not only supporting the person and the family behind the shop, you’re also supporting the community as a complete.

“Small businesses often support other small and native businesses, so it creates a whole ecosystem,” Morgan said. “The cash stays locally longer after we support community businesses, which advantages everybody.”

For individuals who prefer to do their shopping from the couch, Morgan assures, “Buying online isn’t bad.”

Small businesses also profit from online sales, Morgan said, adding that online sales can assist sustain what might otherwise be seasonal businesses, like her own traveling bookstore.

Small Business Saturday, which was founded in 2010 by American Express, has slowly grow to be a staple for small business owners, in line with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which began cosponsoring the event in 2011.

Consumers who shopped at small and independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday last yr reached an estimated $17.9 billion, in line with a consumer insights survey commissioned by American Express.

The state of Minnesota has over 530,000 small businesses and people establishments employ nearly half of the state’s workforce, said Brian McDonald, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minnesota office.

The goal of Small Business Saturday is to shine a highlight on small retailers and restaurants and encourage consumers to make an impact of their community by supporting local business owners, McDonald said.

“It isn’t just in the future,” McDonald said, citing a consumer insight survey that found nearly 72 percent of shoppers said Small Business Saturday makes them need to shop and eat small year-round. “That’s critical because local businesses are the job creators, the risk-takers and our neighborhood hubs that keep the community vibrant and livable,” he said.

So, what can shoppers sit up for on Nov. 25? Here’s a fast take a look at a few of the events planned for the east metro area.

Selby Avenue

Deal-hunters on Selby Avenue can get an additional boost this Saturday in the shape of the Selby Avenue Business Prize Passport Booklet, a stamp card that makes shoppers eligible for a prize drawing, said Jens Werner, executive director of the Summit-University Planning Council.

Shoppers can grab a booklet from the 41 participating Selby Avenue stores like Gravy Babies, TB’z Customz, The Hi Hat, The Yarnery and Tooth Fairy Candy Store. Each store you visit, you get a stamp and with five or more stamps, you may enter your booklet into the prize drawing.

Babycake’s Book Stack’s mobile bookstore will probably be up and running for its first-ever Small Business Saturday, Morgan said, because of the avenue-wide event.

The bookstore, which will probably be parked on the intersection of Selby Avenue and Dale Street, runs out of a heated bus that stretches 33 feet long and might hold about 4,500 books.

The titles the shop stocks give attention to diversity and different cultures, Morgan said, “with the intent for visitors and readers to see themselves on the shelves.”

Tameka Jones, owner of beauty product store Lip Esteem at 876 Selby Ave., said last yr’s Small Business Saturday brought in steep sales and he or she hopes to copy the success this yr.

At Lip Esteem, shoppers can expect 50% off every little thing aside from the newly-launched products, Jones said, and fellow business owners will receive a free lip balm.

“Small businesses wouldn’t survive without the community, so we want more people to buy locally,” Jones said.

The Summit-University Planning Council can be hosting a “Meet Your Neighbors” event from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Fivetwosix Event Space, situated at 526 Selby Ave. The prize drawing takes place at 3:30 p.m. and also you and your stamp book should be present to win.

Werner said the council worked to bring a bigger event to Selby Avenue this yr after most of the businesses took successful over the summer attributable to poorly-communicated B-Line Bus Rapid Transit construction.

“We hope this event brings in some business in order that they can close out their fourth quarter strong,” Werner said.

West Side Makers Market

Artists and makers will probably be selling locally made pieces like ceramics, fiber art, candles, clothing and jewellery on St. Paul’s West Side at The Lowlands Makers Market.

Positioned at 160 Wabasha St. S, festivities start at 10 a.m. and include food, coffee, a lounge area and a lineup of local artists performing throughout the day.

Hastings

The town of Hastings leaves little to be desired this weekend with its Small Business Saturday and Holiday Hoopla event.

The day’s festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with breakfast with Santa on the Lock and Dam Eatery and go on to incorporate a coloring contest at Spiral Brewery, ornament painting at Squeaky Wheel Pottery, art vendors and free chili at ArtSpace River Lofts and more.

To see the complete event schedule, go to https://hastingsdba.com/holiday-hoopla.