Celebrate Small Business Saturday 2012 in Chesterfield

Are you hoping to avoid the frenetic rush at the big box stores? Then today is the shopping holiday with many merchants throughout Chesterfield and West County celebrating Small Business Saturday. 

With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Chesterfield.

Ruth Greco runs Take Note, a store in Chesterfield Valley that specializes in custom stationary and personalized gifts, and said small businesses owners play an important role. 

"I think that a lot of small businesses are local owners and it's important to support your local area," she said. "I think it keeps the money in the area. Whatever I make here goes back into the economy here."

Greco said she loves the opportunity to meet people and add her own personal touches to the shop. As part of Small Business Saturday, she'll be running special sales with free gifts and refreshments for customers. 

You can find a list of other participating stores by searching this database sponsored by American Express, which founded the shopping holiday in 2010. 

In the weeks leading up today, we have asked Chesterfield Patch readers on Facebook and Twitter to share with us some of their favorite local, small businesses. Here's a list of some of your suggestions: 

• Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Comapny
• Balaban's
• Chesterfield Tailoring
• Take note
• Pulse St. Louis
• Fusion
• St. Louis Wine Market and Tasting Room
• Surf Dogs
• The Foundrie
• Alexandra Ballet
• Kim Cheese
• Annie Gunn's
• Lakeside Exteriors

TELL US: What small businesses do you patronize in your town and what makes them great? Share in the comments below.