NEW YORK—Smack in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday—which falls on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year—remains one of the most important shopping days for small businesses across the country, including many opticians and optometrists. Founded in 2010 by American Express, Small Business Saturday has since expanded into a year-long #ShopSmall movement—but the Saturday after Thanksgiving remains unrivalled for many small businesses. In fact, consumers have reported spending an estimated $120 billion across all 10 Small Business Saturdays combined, according to American Express.

This week, we’re taking a look at how a few optometrists and opticians celebrated this year’s all-important Small Business Saturday.


In New Braunfels, Texas, Refined Eye Care is celebrating Small Business Saturday all month long with special sales and by giving back to the local community. On Instagram the team wrote, “Don’t forget to think of us and support small. Your investments in Refined Eye Care keep us here and support the people and families that make up our wonderful team! Not to mention, allow us to give back! Refined Eye Care has donated and supported these local groups in 2021: New Braunfels High School Cheerleaders, Room Redux, Circle for Cancer Care, and the New Braunfels Jaycees.” Image via refinedeyecarenbtx on Instagram


Eyes on Trade in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, made use of American Express’ special Small Business Saturday graphics to let patients know about their special Small Business Saturday sales. Image via eyesontrade on Instagram



The team at Oxford Eyes in Orlando, Florida, is located in the Ivanhoe Village shopping district. They celebrated Small Business Saturday by sharing the love for the other small, local businesses that call Ivanhoe Village home. Image via oxford_eyes on Instagram



In Saratoga, California, Specs Optical celebrated Small Business Saturday with an “unprecedented” sale on sunglasses. Image via specs_optical on Instagram



Ansley Eye Care in Atlanta, Georgia, also celebrated with a special 30 percent off everything sale only on Small Business Saturday. Image via ansleyeyecare on Instagram


Small Business Saturday may just be one day, but there’s no better way to support local businesses than to shop small all year round—a great reminder shared by the team at Art of Optiks in Wayzata and Edina, Minnesota. Image via artofoptiks on Instagram