Small businesses hope people shop Saturday

After the Black Friday crowds are done with the large stores and malls, many small business owners are hoping they'll try to snag some deals at their shops Saturday.

Small Business Saturday was created by American Express three years ago to help smaller businesses struggling during the recession.

People with a card who've registered in advance can get a $25 rebate if they shop at participating stores.

More than 90 percent of the businesses in South End are classified as small businesses.

Channel 9 spoke to one owner who's hoping people will cash in on the deals.

"We are going to be offering 15 percent off the whole store and we learned about it through the South End merchant meeting. This is our first year participating," said Nicole Blackmon, owner of Blank Canvas.

South End has participated in small business Saturday since its inception. The community is also hosting a full day of family activities to draw more people to the area including their first annual Christmas tree lighting at Atherton Mill. It will take place at 6 p.m..

"Hopefully people in the community will get out and realize that it's good to support small businesses. And it will bring awareness to local businesses to Charlotte," Blackmon said.

WSOC