Shoppers take part in Small Business Saturday

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Small Business Saturday gives local businesses that extra push needed during the holiday season and shoppers are embracing the weekend event.

A dedicated Facebook page has more than three million likes, showing just how important it is to support local business.

“It's just such a wonderful thing to support individual people who are trying to make a go at it,” says Felicia Kemper Manager Mass Ave. Toys.

Felicia Kemper says business is booming thanks to campaigns like Small Business Saturday. In 2011, 103 million Americans shopped during the one day event. Most of the businesses on Mass Ave. are local retailers and Kemper says, they all try to support one another year round.

“We get together and we support each other and we send our customers to each other's stores, it's like a neighborhood,” says Kemper.

Shoppers that are committed to supporting small businesses say, spending your money locally should be done all the time not just on Small Business Saturday.

“Local businesses are the backbone of our community. They are trying to make a living and by supporting them you're not only helping their business but you're helping their family,” says Debra Des Vignes who shops at local businesses.

American Express started Small Business Saturday. Last year the company says, there was a 23 percent increase in card member purchases during the event.

Mass Ave. Toys also participated in Midnight Shoppers a kick off to the Mass Ave. District holiday season, which is another way to support local retailers.