Local Lafayette businesses celebrate Small Business Saturday

Saturday is helping save local businesses this holiday season.

Many were forced to close for a period of time during the covid-19 pandemic.

News 18's micah upshaw shows us how events like this are making up for those lost days.

L: smallusiness saturday always helps and i wasn't sure what to expect but so far, we're pretty excited and it seems to be a lot of people out.

M: lori schlaifer owner of boutique lori ann in downtown lafayette is celebrating her third small business saturday this year.

Like many business owners, this event comes with a new sense of appreciation.

L: the customers right now are really trying to support small businesses right now and we're so grateful.

M: local businesses are among those hit hardest by the covid-19 pandemic.

Owners say they're excited to use this day to build up their customer base.

J: i started this during covid, it was a covid creation.

I started playing with the clay and fell in love and decided this is it, this is what i want to do.

M: jewelry maker jen christopher says the support from customers goes right back into the community.

J: you're helping to put dinner on the table, you're helping to buy clothes for your kids, what have you, you are supporting local families.

M: michelle wise also opened a business in lafayette during the pandemic.

She says where shoppers choose to spend their money these next few months will make or break the future of local businesses.

Mw: as difficult as a time it may be right now, we want everyone to be here when this is all behind us so the only way for that to happen is to come out and support us now.

M: shoppers agree.

Jw: this is the bread and butter of your neighborhood, this is where you need to support to keep your area very thriving.

So it's really important.

M: reporting in greater lafayette, micah upshaw.

News 18.

According to the national small businesses saturday organization -- for every dollar spent locally, 67- cents goes back into the community.

Black friday shopping was