562.570.3863
Chelsey.Magallon@longbeach.gov
Public Affairs Officer
Economic Development Department
Long Beach, CA – As the holiday season draws near, the City of Long Beach is encouraging residents to support local businesses by participating in Small Business Saturday, taking place on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a nationwide initiative to promote and celebrate small businesses and their contributions to their community.
“Long Beach is home to a vibrant and diverse small business community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By shopping local on Small Business Saturday and all holiday season long, residents can discover hidden gems, support local entrepreneurs and help create a thriving economy.”
Long Beach is home to more than 35,000 businesses and several unique business improvement districts like Belmont Shore Business Association, Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, Downtown Long Beach Alliance, Fourth Street Business Improvement Association, Midtown Property & Business Owner's Association, Uptown Property and Community Association, Visit Long Beach and Zaferia Business Association. Shopping local offers residents an opportunity to shop from a wide range of products and services keen to fulfill any holiday shopper’s wish list. From boutique clothing, jewelry and decor stores to artisanal coffee and unique food shops, Long Beach businesses have something for everyone at every price point. Shopping locally helps stimulate the local economy, supports local jobs and fosters a sense of community pride and connection.
To promote Small Business Saturday and all the ways to shop local this holiday season, now through the end of November, the City’s Economic Development Department will conduct a social media campaign featuring local retailers, business districts and the benefits of shopping local. Information will be shared on the Department’s website and social media pages, including Facebook, X and Instagram @lbecondev #ShopSmallLB.
To encourage residents to shop local, free metered parking will be available all day on Nov. 30 in the following locations:
- Downtown Long Beach: Street parking south of 10th Street, including the Pike Outlets.
- Belmont Shore: Street parking and the five public parking lots.
The City Place garages located in Downtown Long Beach will continue to remain free for the first two hours. City Place garages A, B and C are accessible on Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Streets, between Pine Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard. No validation is required for the first two hours.
Small Business Saturday is an annual event created in 2010 to encourage consumers to shop local during the holidays. According to the national Small Business Administration, for every $100 spent at local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. Shopping locally also reduces one’s environmental impact, encourages local businesses to reinvest in their communities, and increases local competition and innovation among small businesses. In 2023, the reported projected spending in the U.S. from those who shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday was nearly $17 billion.
About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.
For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City’s Business Brief.