Who Gets Your 'Small Business Saturday' Love?

Let's face it: There are a lot of big, big businesses out there.

And, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Many of these large businesses provide us with some of our most needed services. Many of them employ our friends, our neighbors, our families–and, for that, we are grateful.

Still, there is something about a Mom-and-Pop Shop, the local place, the place where everyone recognizes your face. You know more of the money you spend there has a better chance of staying in your community. Not only do these places employ your friends, your neighbors, your families, a lot of these businesses are owned by them. Whatever your reason, there is something special about small business.

Thankfully, those in Toms River who support small business don't have to go very far. From a multitude of restaurants (both Toms River-exclusive and exclusive to this region of the state), to operations that provide some of our most basic, needed, or just wanted services, there are a lot of places that call Toms River home.

If you're headed downtown to Washington and Main streets, down the corridors of Silverton, Hooper Avenue, Fischer Boulevard, Route 37 or Route 9, there's no shortage of small business to celebrate.

The Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce offers a directory of small businesses that are offering holiday season deals to consumers.

So, when you celebrate "Small Business Saturday" on Nov. 26, where will you patronize? What business gets your money and time and, hopefully, a "thank you" for being a part of this varied and colorful Toms River canvas?

All this week, we'll be asking you to give your "shout outs" to your favorite local businesses in the comments section. Call it Patch's love letter to our small businesses, signed by all of you. Chime in below.