Black Friday may crowd the big retailers, but Saturday has a different crowd.

Small Business Saturday has become a hit with independent retailers getting a boost on the busiest shopping weekend of the year by offering special deals and discounts to lure in consumers.

The annual event was started by American Express three years ago in order to help many struggling small businesses hurt during the devastating recession. Cardholders who register with the credit card company online before the event and purchase goods from one of the thousands of participating locations on Saturday can be eligible to receive a $25 American Express rebate.

It may be small, but it'll definitely be a big day for small businesses around the country.

Thousands of small businesses from bakeries to women's clothing boutiques will contribute with their own deals.

American Express has a website dedicated to the event where shoppers can see all the participating shops and for people to rally in support of buying local goods.

The annual event may not be that old, but it has gained a following. Shoppers fed up with the mass consumerism of the holiday season have used the day to send a message that there are many small independent businesses that need support.

American Express sends organizing kits to 50 chambers of commerce across the country to help create joint Small Business Saturday events in their own communities if they don't already have their own ideas of how to best promote local merchants.

Even small businesses that aren't participants are hoping to catch a little extra revenue from their neighbors as shoppers practice buying locally for the day. This helps give these businesses a better opportunity to try and win back repeat customers for the rest of they years.

Support local busineses in your community year round, but be sure to catch the best deals this Small Business Saturday.

You can show your support on the Facebook page for the annual event.

Tags
Black friday, Black Friday 2012