Small Business Saturday Continues, Urges Consumers to Spend Locally

American Express is continuing its Small Business Saturday promotion for the second year in a row today. The whole idea behind the campaign is to get consumers to shop locally. For San Bruno, that means what gets spent in the city stays in the city—to be specific, $68 on every $100.

So if you're planning on shopping or eating out today, consider patronizing the following local shops, service providers and restaurants listed in this Small Business Saturday guide for San Bruno (complied by San Bruno Patch last year):

Shops



Designers Center sells an array of decorative home furnishing pieces. The center offers small statues, figurines, Swarovski crystal, framed artwork, designer handbags, accessories, jewelry and watches. Layaway is available. Visit the store's website for current promotions. 

  

Blue Heaven Gift is a sundries store at The Shops at Tanforan. The store sells Asian-inspired statues, figurines, wall scrolls, bamboo plants, decorative crystals and stones and jewelry. Blue Heaven also has San Francisco souvenirs available, as well as a selection of Asian garments.



Costa's Just Things is a store full of just that: things. Longtime San Bruno businessman Harry Costa opened the shop in 1965 as Custom Rubber Stamps, and it has evolved into the current store: An Indiana Jones kind of place, featuring a unique array of toys, trains, Hot Wheels and antique collectibles as well as office supplies.



Forever Yours is a floral shop that has been in business for more than 15 years. It is owned and operated by a local couple and in the last year, Forever Yours has put in a cafe area with coffee and pastries. The florist specializes in decorative arrangements for special occasions and can deliver locally.



San Bruno Flower Fashions provides floral arrangements for special occasions and accepts phone and online orders and also features gift items, such as balloons and teddy bears.

  

J Y Gift is a retail jeweler, clock and watch repair shop in San Bruno, located close to the CalTrain station. We charge batteries at a competitive price. The store has a wide selection of jewelry and provides good customer service and after-sales service.

  

S & L Gem sells 14-carat and 18-carat gold jewelry for men and women. The store is located on the first floor of the Shops at Tanforan mall. S & L features quality earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces.



As a family-run business, the Eiche's Lighting owners and staff are committed to customer satisfaction. Its friendly and knowledgeable staff are always ready and willing to help you find to the best lighting for your needs and its expert repair staff is ready to repair your favorite lamp or fixture that is in need.



Lovely Bump is a maternity consignment store located along San Mateo Avenue. The store is stroller-friendly and equipped with changing tables and dressing rooms. A kids' play area includes Larry the Turtle. Unused and barely worn maternity and baby clothing, as well as baby essentials can be traded in for store credit. Most products sold at the Lovely Bump can also be repaired, including clothing, shoes and some toys and baby gear. Call for an appointment to trade in clothes and gear.

  

Tony's Sports Novelties, opened in 1997, carries a large selection of sports novelties, collectibles, clothes, hats and baseball cards. The store also features huge collections of memorabilia for each Bay Area sports team.

Restaurants

American



Big Joe's Broiler features familiar American food in a friendly, neighborhood environment. With cooks that have been there for more than 20 years, Big Joe's serves up everything from hearty breakfasts to burgers, steaks and chicken underneath a wall mural of old San Bruno. One promise the restaurant makes is that no one ever leaves hungry.



Big Mouth Burgers is the place to go in San Bruno for fresh, made-to-order burgers and sandwiches. The small, friendly restaurant, located in the Bayhill Shopping Center, features bistro-style tables and chairs, with menu items listed on a chalk board behind the ordering counter. It include salads, grilled vegetables, fish and chips, beer and wine. If customers don't see the burger they want, they can create their own combinations. Still hungry after that burger? Top off with some Mitchell's ice cream.

Chinese



Au's Kitchen in the Bayhill Shopping Center has been serving succulent Chinese entrees since the 1990s. With free delivery and online ordering, Au's fare is quick and easy to get and delicious to eat.



Haifong has been serving authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food for thirty years. The owners are both natives of China and Vietnam and their recipes make for a tasty trip for lunch or dinner. Phone orders can be taken for pick-up or delivery.



Hon Lin Restaurant on San Mateo Avenue in San Bruno features authentic Chinese cuisine. The place is clean and tastefully decorated. With great ambiance and perfect food, this is one of the best Chinese restaurants in town.



The Moon Bridge Restaurant on San Mateo Avenue has been serving authentic Chinese cuisine for decades. Family owned and operated, the restaurant serves dishes whose recipes have been passed down through generations. Their food contains no MSG and no artificial flavors.



Located in the Camino Plaza, Ocean Palace is a family-owned and operated Chinese restaurant. Ocean Palace has been around for over two decades and has a strong reputation of being top-notch delivery Chinese food. It also has quick, friendly restaurant service.



Paper Moon is an Asian lounge and restaurant featuring a karaoke bar. It serves traditional Chinese dishes such as fried noodles and have a fully stocked bar as well. There is a stage in the main area, but for those wishing to eat, drink or sing in front of a smaller audience, individual rooms are available.



Sunny Shanghai, on the corner of San Felipe Avenue and El Camino Real, has been serving Shanghainese food for thirty years. The restaurant serves a special stinky tofu and xiaolongbao (soup dumpling). The prices are affordable and the portions large. For a taste of Shanghai culture, visit Sunny Shanghai.

Filipino



Three golfing buddies, Bambie Fernando, Tito Gonzales and Johann Yuzon, became interested in combining their food talents and expertise through the creation of a brand new restaurant. Filipino cuisine takes much of its influence from Spain and the partners wanted to celebrate the flavors of both cultures. Located on El Camino in San Bruno, the beautiful patio is said to be reminiscent of many childhood homes in the Philippines.



Tastebuds is home to some of the best lechon in the Bay Area and is the only Filipino restaurant serving a varied selection of lechon a la carte. Since 2002, Tastebuds has provided San Bruno with authentic Filipino cuisine in a menu of succulent, exquisite dishes.

Italian



Seniore's Pizza serves tantalizing pizzas and salads. In addition to pizzas, Seniore's also offers low-fat spicy chicken wings. Online ordering and free and fast delivery are assured. The menu features the following specials: "Seniore's Special," "Greek Special," "King Special" and "Vegetarian Special."A wide selection of toppings is also available.

  

Located on San Mateo Avenue, Georgio's Restaurant opened in 2004. Georgio's Restaurant specializes in the making of fresh, high-quality pizzas, calzones, sub sandwiches, wraps and salads. Georgio's guarantees a superior quality, traditional pizza. Online and phone ordering are available.



West Coast Cafe in San Bruno features authentic Italian cuisine. The ambience is unmistakably Tuscan and the service is excellent. Known for its award winning Italian dishes featuring organically grown produce, the restaurant also has an impressive wine list.

Japanese



Hiro Japanese Restaurant offers authentic Japanese food at a reasonable price, including sushi, Sashimi rolls and more. The restaurant offers online reservations but need 24 hours notice to set up the table. There are multiple rooms for private parties which can also be reserved online, and outside catering is available as well.



Sunny Sushi is located in Bayhill Shopping Center. Along with elaborate sushi rolls and sashimi, the restaurant also offers bento boxes, lunch and dinner plates, donburi and udon. Go for the customer favorite, Sunny's Cherry Blossom Roll, or try one of more than two dozen different rolls. Some outdoor seating is available. Sunny Sushi is a very popular lunch spot.

 

Sushi House is a small Japanese seafood restaurant. It is family-owned and has been in business for over 10 years. The restaurant's specialty is the eponymous sushi; there are dozens of varieties to try. Sushi chefs cut and assemble their delicacies in front of customer tables to demonstrate all the different options.

  

Sushi Raw is a Japanese restaurant located on El Camino Real. It offers free delivery for orders of $20.00 or more and customers can order online. Known for its prompt delivery, Sushi Raw offers some of the best sushi in the area.



Todam Tofu House is located on El Camino Real near Crystal Springs Road. The restaurant menu highlights their namesake tofu with an assortment of sides, including kimchi, seafood, stir-fried vegetables, and served at various levels of spiciness. Also available are meat dishes and salads. Todam is good for groups and kid-friendly.

Latin American

  

Celia's has been serving traditional Mexican food in San Bruno since 1993. Located on El Camino Real, at San Felipe Avenue, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes including enchiladas, fajitas, tacos, seafood platters and burritos. Happy hour runs from 3pm - 7pm on weekdays;  Celia's famous margaritas are a favorite. Visit the restaurant's Web site for daily specials and menu.



This Mexican grocery store sells sandwiches, prepared foods, fresh produce, Mexican candy and sweets. Tortillas are delivered daily and there are some prepared pastries on-site. Lottery tickets and phone cards are also available. There is an ATM inside the store and there is plenty of street parking.

  

This family-owned Brazilian restaurant has continued to serve traditional dishes, especially meat-based fare that uses beef, chicken, pork and lamb. It also has a large salad bar that offers a variety of vegetables, bread and soup.



Don Pico's opened in 1975 by Issac and Herlinda Mejia, longtime residents of San Bruno and immigrants from the Mexican State of Sonora. Back then, Herlinda did all the cooking, using authentic family recipes she learned in Mexico. Through the years, the entire family became involved in running the business.

Middle Eastern



Mid East Market is a specialty store and restaurant that has been in business for more than five years. It carries products made in Middle Eastern countries, as well as those found in typical grocery stores. The store is split into two sections, creating a store and deli hybrid. The convenience store has a wide selection of canned goods and beverages. The deli has a selection of meats and vegetables that customers can chose to eat in  or take home.

Russian



Russian Family Bakery & Deli features traditional Russian and European cuisine. Owned and managed by Tatiana and Vladimir Sommer, Russian Family also provides catering services and hosts private parties. Reservations are recommended on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. House specials include syrnik—sweet cheese fritters—and Ukrainian borscht.

Vietnamese



Vietnam Village, located within the Bayhill Shopping Center, has served authentic Vietnamese cuisine for 30 years. Complete with a bar, Vietnamese religious relics and a large fish tank, the atmosphere of Vietnam Village resembles the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.

Coffee/Tea/Sweets

Never Too Latte is a cafe and bakery located on San Mateo Avenue. In addition to coffee, tea and espresso drinks, the cafe offers breakfast, soups, salads, sandwiches, bagels, crepes and desserts. Visit the Never Too Latte Web site to view a complete menu.



The family-friendly ice cream and candy shop offers a variety of Double Rainbow ice cream flavors. The playroom in the back can be used for private parties. Part of the business's profits help raise funds for local schools. And local musicians may play a set on any given night.

Groceries/Delicatessens



Los Primos Produce & Grocery is located in downtown San Bruno and features fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and more -- at competitive prices.



Lunardi's Market is owned and managed by Alfredo Lunardi and his sons. The store offers a wide variety of ready-to-eat gourmet products. Produce is hand-selected every day.

Automotive



Formerly Chevron, Kwik-Serv is an independent self-service gas station and convenience store. There is an air pump and vacuum station available to customers for auto use. Inside the convenience store is an array of snacks, candy, cold drinks and a coffee bar. They also sell a limited selection of car care products as well as some prepared foods including sandwiches, wraps, and fresh fruit and vegetable packs.

  

Grace Honda provides San Bruno with high-quality Honda vehicles to fit anyone's needs. Grace Honda also has a wide collection of pre-owned vehicles and provides a full line of services by expert mechanics.



Mustang Brothers is a Mustang-only auto shop specializing in parts and total repair and restoration for early classic Ford Mustangs, vintages from 1964 to 1973. Owner Ray Meaney goes out of his way to help customers find solutions to their Mustang problems.