Businesses in Downtown Fresno’s Chinatown district and across the Central Valley will be offering discounts and freebies to celebrate Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29.
There are about 50 businesses and merchants in Chinatown that create jobs and contribute to the economy. About half of them participating Saturday will offer specials for Small Business Saturday.
Annual event
Small Business Saturday was launched by American Express in 2010 and has been cosponsored by the Small Business Administration since 2011, encouraging consumers to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Purchases on Small Business Saturday add up, stay local, and circulate back through the community and make more economic impact in the region during the holiday season, supporters say.
According to the SBA, last year’s reported projected spending in the U.S on Small Business Saturday was around $22 billion.
In the US, small business owners expect nearly 20% of their annual revenue to come from sales on Small Business Saturday, according to the SBA.
Get on the bus
Vicky’s Beauty Salon in Chinatown in Downtown Fresno is participating in Small Business Saturday. Photo contributed by Chinatown Fresno Foundation
Maritza Perez, the outreach coordinator with the Chinatown Fresno Foundation, said they have been involved with Small Business Saturday since 2019.
“We want to encourage people to shop local and support small independent businesses instead of the big chain stores,” Perez said.
Some of the businesses that will be participating include Casita de Toto, Cuca’s, Fearless Auto Repair, Fearless Auto Repair, Orquideas Flower Shop, Rosie’s Flowers, Tamale Mama and more.
At Tufesa Fresno Internacional, a charter bus operator, the first five people who mention Chinatown Fresno can win a free round trip anywhere in the U.S.
“I would really love for people to come out and lift up the local community and support Chinatown Fresno, Perez said. “We may not always get the most traffic but we are trying to encourage everyone to come local.”
Selma thinks small
Selma is hosting its first Small Business Saturday event from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Nov. 29 near Robertson-Guerra Insurance on High Street downtown. The event will include raffle prizes from local shops, a craft fair and holiday gifts and treats.
Businesses will also be running their own specials, such as vintage store Bison X Change, which will offer a special to buy one item, get one 20% off.
Meet the magic pony in Madera County
Don’t miss an opportunity to take a photo with Cookie The Magic Pony at Bryant’s Ace Hardware in Oakhurst. Holiday photos with Cookie are free, along with coffee and cookies from 10 a.m. – noon.
The Bed Room Plus, an interior design and home furnishings shop in Madera Ranchos, is hosting a vendor fair from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The home-based shop is located at 36931 Ave. 12.
Pizza, coffee in Tulare County
Our Little Pizza Place flyer
Our Little Pizza Place, a take-and-bake shop opened by sisters on Visalia’s Mooney Boulevard in 2022, is hosting a Small Business Saturday special that includes $5 off pizza and merchandise starting at $10. There will also be a giving tree where people can select ornaments representing a child in need at Visalia’s Houston Elementary. They can bring an unwrapped gift back to the shop for the child by Dec. 7.
Component Coffee Lab is once again celebrating Small Business Saturday with a vendor fair at its three locations in Fresno, Tulare and Visalia. From 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., local vendors will be on hand offering their wares.
Scratching away in Kings County
Main Street Hanford is once again celebrating by offering the first 25 customers at each of the participating businesses a scratch-off coupon worth $5-$20 off.
The event is sponsored by the Herb N Joy dispensary and participating businesses in the downtown area include Plan B Taphouse, Quesadilla Gorilla, Acai Bar and dozens more.
Hanford KCS Thrift Store is hosting an event from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. that will also include discount scratchers for the first 10 customers, and every 10 customer after. They will also be handing out free hot dogs, chips and drinks.
