Senator Menendez Encourages Local Shopping for the Holidays

Still looking for Christmas presents? Instead of driving to the mall this year, shop at your local businesses. This is what Hudson County native and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) is encouraging the people of Hoboken and Jersey City to do.

Appearing at Big Fun Toys on Monday afternoon—along side Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Jenny Robertson, owner of Big Fun Toys, and others—he spoke about the importance of local business and shopping locally.

Local businesses, Menendez said, "help neighborhood economies and create local jobs."

Menendez also announced "Small Business Saturday," which promotes local stores and provides shoppers with incentives such as coupons. Shoppers can also get $25 credit on their American Express credit cards by shopping locally on Small Business Saturday.

The benefits of spending money in your local economy, Menendez explained, will have a ripple effect and help the national economy as a whole as well.

"Keep it local, shop local," Menendez said. "Come to your local neighborhood stores and help your economy."

The senator followed his own advice and bought two gifts—for his godson and his godson's younger brother—at Big Fun Toys.

The Mile Square's many small stores and boutiques "make Hoboken unique and so vibrant," Zimmer said.

"Shop local," the mayor continued. "It's what I do every year."