The day after Black Friday has become known as Shop Small Saturday, where its local businesses turn to shine.
"We had a pretty good turnout for Black Friday, but today, a lot of people have been coming in specifically because its Shop Small Saturday," said Alexene Welle, employee at A La Carte.
There was hardly a parking spot to be had at The Shops at the Colony this Saturday, with consumers packing local businesses. Shop Small Saturday was created to help generate holiday shopping at the local stores in towns across the country.
"We've got friends and family, people that are working very hard to keep businesses here in the city, and I think the notion of spending Christmas money locally is critical to the Erie economy," said MC Gensheimer of Erie.
More than half the small businesses in the country participated in the campaign this year, including A La Carte and Rustic and Refined. Welle tells us customers continue to shop at their store, because they offer things the bigger stores do not.
"We have the convenience here and we do gift wrapping. So a lot of people will come here instead of the other stores, but it makes us feel awesome that they would choose us over the other stores.
Along with the conveniences offered at smaller store, people also find the selection of merchandise to be something new and different than other places.
"I think its very important to support the local businesses to keep them around, especially places like A La Carte," said Rachel Bert of Erie. "They have terrific things that you can't find at a large business branch. They just carry unique items."
People shopping Saturday tell us that Shop Small Saturday is a way to help out the local economy, and get their Christmas shopping done.
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