Small Business Saturday isn’t just another shopping day in Rhode Island — thanks to the Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council (RIDDC), it has become a uniquely inclusive statewide tradition. In a recent interview with iHeart Radio’s InfoNation, Sue Babin, Program Director at RIDDC, shared the story behind Small Business Saturday Shop RI, why it stands apart from every other vendor event in the country, and what shoppers can expect at this year’s celebration.
A National Movement With a Local Purpose
Originally launched by American Express in 2010 to spotlight small businesses during the busy holiday shopping season, Small Business Saturday has grown into a national movement. But as Sue explains, Rhode Island took the concept even further.
In 2017, RIDDC introduced a pop-up marketplace designed to support entrepreneurs with developmental disabilities — offering them a professional, accessible venue to sell their products directly to the community. The idea quickly expanded, becoming a statewide event that celebrates veterans, farmers, minority business owners, and creators from all corners of Rhode Island.
Today, Rhode Island remains the only state in the U.S. to host an integrated pop-up market of this kind.
What You’ll Find at the Event
With nearly 160 small businesses participating this year — including 30 entrepreneurs with disabilities — the event offers an incredible shopping experience. Shoppers will find:
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One-of-a-kind handmade gifts
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Photography and artwork
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Clothing and accessories
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Candles, soaps, and skincare
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Jewelry and greeting cards
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Jams, jellies, and local food items
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Home décor, birdhouses, and more
As Sue said during the interview:
“You can’t go there and not walk away with some sort of an item.”
What Makes This Event Truly Special
Small Business Saturday Shop RI is more than a marketplace — it’s a demonstration of inclusion in action.
Sue describes her favorite moment each year: when a TV news crew asks where they can find the business owners with disabilities.
Her answer? They’ve already met them.
“You just saw the business products… and that’s exactly what we want. People with disabilities are entrepreneurs just like anyone else.”
The event highlights the talent, creativity, and professionalism of Rhode Islanders who often don’t get the visibility they deserve. And at a time when the rising cost of living affects many small business owners — over 90% of all Rhode Island businesses are small businesses — this event provides vital support and exposure.
Learn More, Meet the Vendors & Spend Local
Visitors can explore the full vendor list by category and watch a short, inspiring video about the event at:
👉 www.sbsshopri.com
And of course, Sue and the entire RIDDC team invite everyone to join them:
📅 Saturday, November 29
🕘 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Crowne Plaza, Warwick
🎧 Listen to the Full Interview
For deeper insight into the mission, the vendors, and the statewide impact of this event, listen to Sue Babin’s full interview on InfoNation:
👉 Click here to listen to the full interview or listen below.