[VIDEO] Maybe No Lines, But Plenty Of Shoppers On Main Street Saturday

Small Business Saturday deemed a success by shoppers, business owners alike.

Jeff and Maureen Mascoli of Warwick decided to shop on Main Street on Saturday to support the idea of shopping local.  "We've never really walked up and down Main Street before," said Jeff. They carried bags from Smyle and the Chocolate Delicacy.  Stephanie Cunha from Seekonk, Mass., was shopping at Frills, but planned to make her way down the length of Main Street to Luniac Glamour. "Basically, I like what East Greenwich has to offer," Cunha said. "I hope to get a lot of people checked off my Christmas list." Storeowner Staci Cormier, of Staci's Lingerie, expressed satisfaction with the traffic flow on Saturday. "It was a very good day today," she said.

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5 Things You Need To Know Today

Five Things: Shop Local, Run Local, Eat Local

Your guide for life in East Greenwich today, Nov. 24.

Turkey Trot today! The second annual EG Hill and Harbour Turkey Trot is this morning. Work off the holiday calories with friends and family. It’s a fully sanctioned and certified 5K race in downtown EG. The main event starts at 9 a.m. with a 1-mile fun run at 8:30. Other activities will include crafts, music, and food. The EG Lions ask that you bring a canned good with you to donate to the EG Interfaith Food Cupboard. Come on down to the Varnum Armory. See you there!  Shop Local Saturday: If you love Main Street (and the shops on Post Road and Division Street), show that love today! Also known as Small Business Saturday. Symposium Books story hour: At Story Hour at Symposium Books every week we pick a new story and read it to the kids …

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Shop Local on Small Business Saturday

Just what is Small Business Saturday and why should you support it in East Greenwich?

Big name national retailers take the spotlight on Black Friday as their deep price cuts pull in shoppers in droves. What about those mom-and-pop businesses all over East Greenwich and beyond that are the backbone of America’s economy? Just when do they get their day? That’s basically the question that was asked back in 2010 when the concept of Small Business Saturday was born. Small Business Saturday is “a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities,” the U.S. Small Business Administration explains on its website. American Express gets the credit for founding the shopping holiday, which got its official start on Nov. 27, 2010, according to the Small Business Saturday Facebook page. Celebrating its …

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Sen. Reed Strolls Main Street In Small Biz Saturday Preview

While some business owners told Reed things were looking up, others talked about rising health care costs and the recovery's slow improvement.

Sen. Jack Reed walked the length of Main Street Friday, making 14 stops along the way, to both hear from business owners and promote Small Business Saturday, which takes place next Saturday, Nov. 26. He was joined by Steve Lombardi, executive director of the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, and Bob Catanzaro, Chamber president-elect. During his nearly two hours in East Greenwich, Reed received warm welcomes, including some shout-outs from passersby. While some business owners told the senator things were looking up, several business owners lamented the slow pace of economic recovery and Bob Hartman at Back to Basics talked about the crushing costs of health care for his employees. Hartman had a letter for Reed, highlighting the rising …

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Elizabeth McNamara

9:26 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012

I just posted the only photo I have of Sen. Reed in Luniac Glamour. You can pull it off the website or I can email it to you. Just let me know.   more ›

Crowds Come Out For Small Business Saturday

Local retailers say traffic was up this weekend.

East Greenwich saw a boost in holiday sales after Thanksgiving, according to a few local retailers. Mild temperatures no doubt helped bring people to Main Street, in particular, but shoppers also seemed to respond to the strong ad campaign for Small Business Saturday. "This week has been fantastic," said Dianne Muzalewski of the Little Kitchen Shop on Main Street. "The weather's been with us. I think that's the big thing." Her store accepts American Express cards. On Saturday, customers could earn a $25 Amex coupon if they used their card at a participating small business. Muzalewski liked that. "It was really kind of nice to see a big corporation step up to help the little person," she said. EG resident Sharon Sutton said she was shopping…

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Big Day In EG: Turkey Trot, Small Biz Saturday & More

Five things you need to know about East Greenwich today, Nov. 26.

Turkey Trot! Okay, eat all you want on Thanksgiving. You have a chance to work at least some of that stuffing and pumpkin pie off on Saturday, Nov. 26, in the EG Lions Club Hill & Harbor Turkey Trot. There will be a 5K (3.1 mile) race and a 1-mile fun run. Money raised will benefit the EG Interfaith Food Cupboard, which provides food to all who are in need. You can sign up on race day, or have a more relaxing morning and sign up now online. Small Business Saturday: Shopping small and local will be a treat today, with sunny skies and warm temperatures predicted. Many shops downtown and around town are offering specials. Crafts festival: Ocean State Artisans 21st Annual Crafts Festival at CCRI in Warwick from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Coastal …

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EG Lurker

7:11 pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Iris, no disrespect was meant - in fact, your shop was one of the ones we patronized (and actually the first one my wife excitedly mentioned when she registered in Amex's program)... The parking issue is the one that I'm actually referring to when I state dissatisfaction by some - certainly not all - of the Main St business owners. Parking three blocks away (or in this weekend's case, maybe up at…   more ›

Post Your Small Business Saturday Hours Here

East Greenwich Patch is looking for business owners to tell our readers where they can support small business.

Patch wants to give small businesses in East Greenwich a chance to post their hours and locations for Small Business Saturday in one place so local shoppers can find you. Just add your business name, address, hours, and telephone number in the comments below — and note some of the products you have. If you have a listing on the East Greewich Patch Places Directory, you can also add that link to your comment so readers can easily find other info about your business.Don't have a listing? E-mail Editor Elizabeth McNamara at elizabeth.mcnamara@patch.com and we'll set up a free listing for you.

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Lynn Murphy

10:19 am on Friday, December 2, 2011

Inspirations Embroidery is now open Saturday from 10:00 till 2:00pm. Please stop in for unique Custom Embroidered Gifts that are sure to create a lasting memory for those on your gift list!!! We have Stadium Blankets in stock which look great with a Family name embroidered on them or create your own Tee Shirt with any photo or design! Come visit as we are open late on Thurs nights also till 7pm. …   more ›

Main Street Businesses Like Small Business Saturday

A couple of stores are focusing efforts on Black Friday instead.

Some small business owners on Main Street see Black Friday as dominated by big box stores and discounters and are more enthusiastic about Small Business Saturday as they head into the holiday shopping season. Diane Villari, president of the Hill and Harbour Merchants Association, had signs promoting Small Business Saturday made up at Print Shops to be put in store windows up and down the street. The big push behind Small Business Saturday, which originated last year, is coming from American Express. On their website, American Express describes Small Business Saturday as a national movement that marks a day to support the local businesses that create jobs. In addition to the media promotion, Amex is offering cardholders $25 back when they …

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