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Small Business Saturday Brings Shoppers Out to Support Local Stores

The post-Black Friday tradition keeps money spent in the community

Small Business Saturday — a day where shoppers are encouraged to visit small businesses for their holiday shopping — follows the better known Black Friday.

According to the Small Business Administration, 77 percent of U.S. consumers are planning to shop small this holiday season.

Shopping at small businesses means 68 percent of money spent in a local store will stay in the local community, according to Maria Contreras-Sweet, an administrator at the Small Business Administration.

Sandy Burnett, who has been shopping local for years, said it is important to invest in the city where she lives.

"These are our neighbors. These are the people who make our neighborhood fun and interesting," Burnett said.

Marti Milakovich, the owner of "Vintage on Venice" in Mar Vista, said she was inspired by the connections small businesses can have with customers.

Milakovich opened the store two and a half years ago, and said she wanted a store in the neighborhood.

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"We've lived here for 20 years in Mar Vista," Milakovich said. "[We] wouldn't have opened a store anywhere else."

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