Chicago mayoral candidate Carol Moseley Braun is spending Black Friday touring a commercial corridor on 87^th Street.

November 27^th is nationally dubbed Small Business Saturday.  Organizers said it’s a way to support local commerce as the holiday shopping season commences. 

Essential Elements on east 87^th Street is a clothing store that’s participating. It’s also one of the merchants Moseley Braun visited near Stony Island.

“The businesses in the neighborhoods need as much attention and help as downtown. And while it’s great to shop – we’ve got great shopping in the Loop and down North Michigan. At the same time there’s some great stores in the neighborhoods as well,” Moseley Braun said.

She said the city should leverage the private sector to invest in small, neighborhood businesses.