Parking will be free in 42 communities across the nation to benefit small businesses this Small Business Saturday.
Special covers will be put over the meters in these communities on Saturday Nov. 30 to let visitors know parking is free.
A Look At One Featured Community
Small communities like Doylestown, PA, will benefit from the program. Founded in 1745, the town is located 75 miles South of New York.
Doylestown features many shops, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and other attractions.
In a prepared press release issued by the community, John Davis, Doylestown Borough Manager explained:
“Behind every business in Doylestown, there is a unique story and passionate entrepreneur.”
Many of these small business owners recently participated in a little video promoting Small Business Saturday:
American Express and community news site operator Patch are sponsoring the program called “Park on Patch.”
Patch picked the towns and American Express is covering the cost of parking for the day. Local communities approve being in the program.
Other communities in the program include:
CALIFORNIA
- Alameda
- Burlingame
- Glendale
- Hermosa Beach
- Huntington
- Redondo Beach
- Santa Cruz
CONNECTICUT
- Middletown
- Greenwich
GEORGIA
- Athens
- Mitown
ILLINOIS
- Bollingbrook
- Evanston
MASSACHUSETTS
- Beverly
- Belmont
- Brookline
- Natich
- Newton
- Salem
MARYLAND
- Bethesda
- Wheaton
MICHIGAN
- Birmingham
- Dearborn
- Royal Oak
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- Portsmouth
NEW JERSEY
- Caldwells
- Montclair
- Ridgewood
- Millburn
- Summit
- Morristown
- Westfield
NEW YORK
- Bronxville
- Mamaronek
- Mineola
- Mt. Kisco
- New Hyde Park
- Nyak
OHIO
- WestLake
PENNSYLVANIA
- Ambler
- Doylestown
- Radnor
Image: Small Business Saturday
Editor’s Correction: corrected to reflect the number of participating communities and to include the list.
Love the idea. Would love to support one of these area, but I’m hundreds of miles away from the nearest one. However, I’ll be shopping small in my neck of the woods (where parking is always free).
Shawn,
A great idea. It will help shoppers and biz owners a great deal; I’m always surprised how freebies can drive interest and sales so much!
If it were up to me, every Saturday would be a “Small Business Saturday”, at least when it comes to free parking at downtown (i.e. mainstream mainstreet) venues. Let consumers know that Saturday is a day to get out and walk the streets looking for goods and services rather then by shopping online or going to the mall.
I watched the video and my eyes welled up. What is wrong with me? Like, seriously Ebele, get it together.
Maybe it was the human connection, the sense of community, I don’t know.
Anyway, I fully support the idea of Small Business Saturday and I look forward to it happening over here in the UK on Dec 7th.
Shawn Hessinger
Yes, we heard that was coming up as well. Should be good for UK businesses too.
I ordered a Small Business Saturday pack a few days ago and got it in the post today.
I’m actually not sure about where it’s taking place in the UK. I imagine of all places, it’ll be happening in London. Will keep my eyes and ears open.
Aira Bongco
Great to hear. I am sure that it will help some people save a few coins here and there. But why is it only available in certain areas?
I was thinking that too, Aira re: availability in certain areas. Maybe it’s a relatively new event and as such, will take time for it to launch in more places.