Laguna and newport merchants gear up for small business saturday

Shoppers have more than Black Friday to look forward to for post-Thanksgiving deals. This weekend, area merchants will participate in Small Business Saturday. American Express launched Small

Business Saturday in 2010 as a way to encourage shoppers to visit neighborhood businesses, which face stiff competition from online and big-box retailers. The Laguna Beach Chamber of

Commerce is again offering its “passport,” challenging shoppers to get it stamped six times. Those who do will be entered for the chance to win a two-night stay at the Montage Laguna Beach

resort, said chamber Executive Director Meredith Dowling. Other prizes include $1,000 in gift cards. Businesses also will be offering discounts on their merchandise. A purchase is not

necessary to get a passport stamped. “We’d love for them to make purchases, but we’re encouraging them to go in as many shops as they can,” Dowling said. The chamber is distributing

passports to hotels and merchants, she said. More than 100 Laguna Beach businesses have agreed to participate in Small Business Saturday, according to the chamber. In Newport Beach, the

Irvine Co. will offer promotions at several of its properties. Visitors can get a $10 gift card for every $100 spent between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at any stores at the following locations: The

Bluffs Shopping Center (MacArthur Boulevard and Bison Avenue); Corona del Mar Plaza (MacArthur Boulevard and Coast Highway); Crystal Cove Shopping Center (East Coast Highway and Crystal

Heights Drive); Harbor View Shopping Center (San Joaquin Hills Road and San Miguel Drive); Newport Coast Shopping Center (San Joaquin Hills Road and Newport Coast Drive); Newport Hills

Shopping Center (San Miguel Drive and Ford Road); Newport North Shopping Center (Camelback Street and Bison Avenue); and Westcliff Plaza (Irvine Avenue and Westcliff Drive). The centers also

will have open houses with refreshments and in-store offers. [email protected] TWITTER: @ALDERTONBRYCE