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'Small Business Saturday' Aims To Lure Bay Area Shoppers From Chains

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- After shoppers competed for discounts largely in major chain stores on Black Friday, several Bay Area cities are encouraging shoppers to take part in "Small Business Saturday".

The national campaign is in its second year, and encourages shoppers to spend some time on Saturday doing their holiday shopping in small, locally owned businesses.

San Jose recently officially proclaimed today Small Business Saturday, encouraging residents to visit San Jose businesses, saying the campaign aligns with the city's Shop San Jose Initiative.

"These initiatives are an important way to connect our residents with the many great shops, restaurants and small businesses located here in San Jose," Mayor Chuck Reed said in a statement after the proclamation.

Councilwoman Rose Herrera added that shopping locally can help create local jobs. "Buying goods and services in San Jose helps create local jobs as opposed to shopping with an out-of-area retailer," she said.

The town of Danville is also encouraging residents to shop locally today, reminding them that by shopping locally they can help the city maintain public services by generating sales tax revenue.

Oakland got a head start Friday as a group of vendors came together to try and lure shoppers back to stores damaged by Occupy Oakland protests.

Brick and mortar vendors and pop-up stores, food stands and musical performances came together to create "Black Out Oakland.

Despite acts of vandalism, some store owners say they still support the Occupy movement. In turn, Occupy Oakland supported the event.

Small Business Saturday was started last year by American Express, and offered statement credits for American Express customers who used their credit card to purchase goods at small businesses that day.

The campaign has even picked up national support from the Obama Administration, which announced that various Cabinet secretaries and other Administration officials would be shopping at small businesses throughout the country Saturday.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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