Lafayette businesses participate in the third annual Small Business Saturday

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Downtown Lafayette business owners opened their doors on what could be their biggest sales day of the year Saturday. There weren't long lines or any shopping hysteria, and that was OK for people eager to shop small.

"I'm all about supporting small businesses," Shopper Amanda Gill said. "If I can spend my money here instead of at the big box stores that is really what I'd rather do."

American Express held its third annual Small Business Saturday across the nation. It's a chance for local businesses to showcase their own sales after the mega sales of Black Friday. Walnut Street Traditions on Main Street was one business to participate in the event.

"We carry a line of unique Christmas trees [and] several ornaments," Walnut Street Traditions Owner Traci Bratton said. "We have our own line of candles we manufacture here in Lafayette. [The shoppers] can't find that anywhere else."

Just a block away Two Tulips got in on the Small Business Saturday fun by allowing their customers to personalize any piggy bank or ornament for free.

"[The customers] are just ready to shop and see what the store has that is unique," Two Tulips Owner Cheryl Woody said. "[They want] something they can't find at the mall."

It's those unique finds that business owners hope help give them a great sales day. Woody and Bratton said Small Business Saturday usually shapes up to be the best day of the year.

"Last year we were up by 68 percent from 2010," Bratton said. "We hope to exceed that this year."

"[The shoppers] met me at the door this year like they did last year," Woody said. "We've had a steady flow of customers all day long. I anticipate it to be just as good as last year if not better."

Although Small Business Saturday is just one day, owners hope people will shop small all year long.

"Main Street is the heart of Lafayette, and people need to support us," Bratton said.

"It's huge to have customers come in and say they support small business and they want to keep us all going," Woody said. "It's a great compliment for me, and it's great for the businesses."