With the 10th annual “Small Business Saturday” taking place this week, residents are being encouraged to support Santa Clarita’s small businesses rather than chain stores, officials said Tuesday. 

An average of 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business in the United States ends up staying in that local community, according to American Express officials. 

“Small businesses are at the core of our chamber’s membership and are the backbone of our economy,” said SCV Chamber Board Chair Nancy Starczyk. 

According to the Shop Small Consumer Impact survey from American Express, 73 percent of people feel that empty storefronts are a national issue and 84 percent agree that the increase in empty storefronts and closing of small, independently-owned businesses negatively affects their local community.

For Santa Clarita residents planning on shopping or dining out on Saturday, try supporting the following Santa Clarita small businesses.

Residents wanting a nice meal can visit Salt Creek Grille instead of a chain steakhouse.  

If the family is in the mood for Italian, visit Presto Pasta, Bella Cocina or Piccola Trattoria instead of nationwide Italian restaurant chains. 

Coffee connoisseurs can visit Honu in Newhall in place of larger coffee chains.   

The 10th annual Small Business Saturday is held the Saturday following Black Friday.

For more information on Small Business Saturday, visit here.

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