Small Business Saturday is a nationwide campaign to encourage shoppers to buy local and support small businesses as an alternative to big malls.
Another way local businesses have been getting a boost is through the city of San Diego's Storefront Improvement Program. The program offers financial assistance to local business owners who want to spruce up their storefronts to increase foot traffic and beautify the area. Last year, 34 projects were completed through the program.
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"Small businesses make up a huge amount of our economy but it's also what makes San Diego, San Diego. Our commercial neighborhood districts are really important in places like North Park and South Park and Ocean Beach. It's what creates a lot of jobs and it's what's important to our economy," said Sean Karafin, a neighborhood investment manager with the city of San Diego.
Karafin joined Midday Edition on Friday to talk about how small businesses impact the local economy.
