Local businesses along Main Streets and other popular thoroughfares throughout Western New York were crowded with shoppers, recognizing Small Business Saturday.
The initiative is in its third year and was started, in part, by American Express. Following Black Friday, holiday shoppers are encouraged to visit their local merchants to support smaller vendors and to recognize the personal service and unique offerings that they specialize in.
Estimates are that 100 million people have taken part in the effort since 2010.
