First Street is the place to be for your shopping needs Saturday. (Photo by Nick Sestanovich)

Today is Black Friday, the day typically designated as the start of the holiday shopping season. If you do not feel like facing the intense traffic and crowds today, there is always tomorrow. However, before you drive out to Concord, Vallejo or Fairfield to find the suitable gift, Benicia Main Street has just one thing to say: Not so fast.

Benicia may not have large-scale malls or big box stores, but it does have a number of independent businesses that sell ideal gifts. To honor this, Benicia Main Street and the city of Benicia will be celebrating the seventh annual Small Business Saturday to encourage residents to shop locally for the holidays.

Small Business Saturday was founded in 2010 by American Express as a way for communities to help support the small businesses that support their local economies. Benicia Main Street held its first event that year, and it was officially recognized by the city in 2011.

As in past years, 50 businesses from throughout Benicia will be participating to serve buyers’ holiday needs. They can buy books at Bookshop Benicia; toys at Mozart, Einstein & Me; fancy olive oils at Heritage Pantry & Spice; art and supplies at Artcentric and Once Upon a Canvas; a wide variety of gifts from Studio 41; and more than 40 other businesses.

Additionally, hungry participants can also enjoy lunch at First Street Cafe, Dianna’s Bakery and Cafe, The Union Hotel and other designated eating establishments.

As with last year, the first 30 people who stop by Benicia Main Street’s offices at 11 a.m. will get $5 in Downtown Dollars to be used at participating businesses. Additionally, Deborah Housman, the event coordinator, says solo musicians will be playing from 1 to 4 p.m. on First Street to add to the atmosphere.

Small Business Saturday will kick off 11 a.m., Saturday Nov. 26 at Benicia Main Street’s offices in the Southern Pacific Train Depot, located at 90 First St. For a complete list of participating businesses, visit BeniciaMainStreet.org.

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