Morris County Encourages Residents to “Shop Small” This Holiday Season

Published on November 24, 2025

Nov. 29 is Small Business Saturday®

Small Business Grant Corner Bistro

As the holidays approach, the Morris County Board of County Commissioners is encouraging residents to “shop small” on Small Business Saturday®, Nov. 29, and support the local and downtown businesses that help drive the county’s economy.

The board formally adopted a resolution at its Nov. 17 public meeting proclaiming Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 “Small Business Saturday in Morris County,” recognizing the essential role small businesses play in the county’s 39 communities.

“When you shop at local retailers, eat at locally and family owned restaurants and do business with local service providers, you reinvest in your community. Our small businesses support Morris County’s economy in a big way, providing jobs, services and unique experiences in our 39 towns. Let’s support our small businesses -- not just this weekend, but all year -- and keep our communities strong!” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen.

Small Business Saturday® was launched by American Express in 2010 to support independently owned businesses the day after “Black Friday,” the traditional post-Thanksgiving start of the holiday purchasing season and retail frenzy. Small Business Saturday has since grown into a national movement that encourages consumers to patronize local shops, restaurants and service providers.

Small Businesses: A Major Driver of the Local and State Economy

According to state economic data, 99.7 percent of all New Jersey businesses are small businesses, and nearly half -- 48.8 percent -- of New Jersey employees work for small businesses.

Morris County continues to demonstrate strong entrepreneurial activity, as evidenced by the data provided by the Morris County Economic Development Corporation:

  • More than 7,500 new business applications were submitted in 2024.
  • There are 30,555 verified businesses in the county that meet the official definition of a small business, meaning it has fewer than 500 employees.
  • 529 small businesses in the county reported significant or sustained growth.
  • The county is home to 33 veteran-owned and 168 minority-owned small businesses (including Asian, African American, Native American and Hispanic).

Morris County is also home to uniquely high-performing small firms, all in the oil and fuel industries:

  • Eight businesses with only 10 to 19 employees generate more than $100 million in annual revenue -- compared to the national average of $2.16 million for that size business. These firms are in Parsippany-Troy Hills, Wharton, Riverdale, Chester, Dover, Pequannock, Lincoln Park and Madison.
  • Nineteen businesses with only 1 to 4 employees produce more than $50 million in annual revenue -- far exceeding the average of $387,000 for that size category. These firms are based in Rockaway, Butler, Wharton, Roxbury, Randolph, Netcong, Morristown and Hanover Township.

The Morris County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation and Morris County Tourism Bureau are dedicated partners in strengthening the county’s business community.

“Our goal is to help businesses connect, collaborate and build long-term success. We are proud to support our members on Small Business Saturday and every day,” said Meghan Hunscher, president and CEO of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to shop, dine and explore locally on Saturday, Nov. 29. By choosing to Shop Small®, consumers help sustain local jobs, support entrepreneurs and preserve the distinct character that makes Morris County a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

Do you manage a small business? Read these tips from Morris County Economic Development Corporation to make the most of Small Business Saturday!

Winkys Pet Boutique

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Photo 1: Director Tayfun Selen presents a Morris County Small Business Grant check to Emma and Oscar Vargas (left), owners of The Corner Bistro in Randolph, N.J. in 2022, when the county launched a small business grant program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Behind them (l-r) are Celeste Leon, Commissioner Deborah Smith, Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce (MCHACC) Co-Founder Esperanza Field, MCHACC Member Ralph Tejeda, and Karl Alvarez.

Photo 2: (l-r) Commissioners Tayfun Selen, Thomas Mastrangelo and Stephen Shaw outside Winky’s Pet Boutique in Chester, N.J., a recipient of a $15,000 grant in 2022. The county launched a small business grant program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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