You can support your local small retailers and restaurants by joining me and your neighbors on the 13th annual national Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25.

Small Business Saturday began on Nov. 27, 2010.  It was in response to both Black Friday (large stores) and Cyber Monday (e-commerce stores). Small Business Saturday is designed for those starting holiday shopping to patronize small, along with local community- based business.

Many small independent businesses are at the mercy of suppliers, who control the price they have to pay for merchandise.   The employees go out of their way to help find what I need.  Customer service is their motto.  As an independent mom-and-pop store, they don’t have the bulk-buying purchasing power that Amazon or large national chain stores have. This is why they sometimes charge a little more.  It is worth the price to avoid the crowds and long lines at larger stores in exchange for the convenience and friendly service your neighborhood store offers.

Our local entrepreneurs have continued the good fight to keep their existing staff and suppliers employed without layoffs and canceling supply orders.  They work long hours, pay taxes, keep people employed and help fight crime by serving as the eyes and ears of neighborhoods. Foot traffic is essential for the survival of neighborhood commercial districts. The owners of independent mom-and-pop stores are the backbone of our neighborhood commercial districts. Show your support by making a purchase.

Do it not only on annual Small Business Saturday, but every day of the year.  In Great Neck, there are so many great local businesses.  They are within the heart of our main commercial artery, along Middle Neck Road in various villages from Great Neck Plaza to Kings Point. Don’t forget our other stores on Northern Boulevard, East Shore Road, Cutter Mill Road and Great Neck Road as well.

The same is true with other commercial districts such as Willis Avenue in Albertson, Tulip Avenue and Jericho Turnpike in Floral Park, Hillside Avenue and Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park, Northern Boulevard in Little Neck, Plandome Road in Manhasset, Main Street in Port Washington, Old Northern Boulevard by the Roslyn Clock Tower and Hillside Avenue in Williston Park.

My wife and I don’t mind occasionally paying a little more to help our local businesses survive. Don’t forget your cook and server at your favorite neighborhood restaurant. We try to tip between 20 percent to 25 percent against the total bill, including taxes, year around.   Whenever it is an odd amount, we round up to the next dollar. If we can afford to eat out, we can afford adding extra dollar or two to the tip. When ordering take out, we always leave a dollar or two for the cook. It is appreciated.

Please join me and your neighbors in continuing to support the Great Neck News and all other Blank Media Slate publications, including the Manhasset Times, Port Washington Times, Roslyn Times, New Hyde Park Herald Courier and Williston Times. Patronize their advertisers. They provide the necessary revenues to help keep them in business. Let them know you saw their ad.

Larry Penner
Great Neck