Before the pandemic, I had several Small Businesses I liked to shop at downtown. But, like many consumers, I’ve turned to the internet to do a lot of my shopping as covid surged.

I need to get back in the habit of giving small businesses some of my economic dollar votes.

Today is Small Business Saturday – a day to shop at small businesses to show your support.

“This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” the Small Business Administration or SBA said in a statement. “Please join SBA and organizations across the country in supporting your local small businesses by shopping at a small business.”

Founded by American Express in 2010 and cosponsored by SBA since 2011, Small Business Saturday is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season.

Sales on Small Business Saturday reached an estimated $23.3 billion, according to a 2021 survey commissioned by American Express.

There are nearly 32 million independent businesses in the United States this holiday season.