Saturday Shoppers Filled Small Business Coffers

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Barack Obama

There was no pepper spray, and as far as we know no one camped outside stores to be the first in line at their local toy store. But Small Business Saturday saw its share of buzzworthy moments.

The shopping day, so deemed by American Express as a day to support Main Street, saw shoppers from coast to coast enjoying discounts and giveaways at local businesses as they took a somewhat more civilized approach to holiday buying.

Even President Obama and his daughters came out to support the small businesses in their neighborhood. Visiting Kramerbooks & Afterwards Café in Dupont Circle, the president, along with Malia and Sasha, purchased several books and spoke to shoppers.

While American Express will not have official numbers available until the end of the week on how many people took advantage of the $25 crediton their Amex cards, it seems that people did bypass the mall on Saturday to spend some time at local stores.

Shops in Nob Hill neighborhood of Albuquerque, N.M., reported heavier traffic than normal on Saturday. It was the same story for stores located in the North Shore towns of Massachusetts, some of which reported the best business day of the year so far.

And, in Hoboken, N.J., one woman who admits she normally shops at big box stores, decided to take a stroll down the main shopping drag to see what all the fuss was about. She came, she saw, she bought, she said.

And while shop owners around the country reported good foot traffic, the real test, according to Das Anastasiou, owner of Revolver Vintage in Albuquerque, is if "the trend continues through Christmas.”

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