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Small Businesses In Old Folsom Combining Efforts For Small Business Saturday

Folsom (CBS13) - Time is up for Black Friday shopping, but you'll need to set your alarm again to shop on small business Saturday.

Local businesses in Old Folsom still hope to cash in from holiday shoppers.

Once it turns cold, Snook's Chocolatiers say people warm up here.

"The second the kids are out of school, the families are back together, that's when it starts getting pretty crazy around here," says Eric Snook, confectioner.

The small business on Sutter Street says it's been making a lot of sales even before Black Friday -- so much that they've run out of chocolate.

So they're a little behind getting prepared for their own promotional shopping holiday: Small Business Saturday.

"We would love to do something. We might work something out here to get something going, but right now we're just doing some catch-up," said Snook.

The majority of businesses in Old Folsom are locally owned and don't see the crowds you'd typically see at the mall. They say they could use the economic boost from holiday gift sales.

Throughout the year, the biggest competition to Folsom's small businesses is the Folsom Outlets. So, this year several small businesses are banding together to create more of a Christmas shopping experience down on Sutter Street.

The stores all put up Christmas lights and hired Christmas carolers to perform carolers Saturday. Besides the discounts, inside you'll also find free treats.

"We'll have gifts with purchase, mulled cider, snacks, and of course, complimentary gift wrapping," said Kerri Kaye, co-owner of Starlight Starbright.

"We've been here before with tradeshows and we like Folsom," said Richard Molzmer, a shopper.

Even without the shopping discounts, the Folsom small businesses have their charm. But tomorrow they'll sweeten their sales.

Where did small business Saturday come from? American Express trademarked the event, which started in 2010 nationwide as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, days that cater to big box retail and e-commerce stores.

According to the Small Business Administration, small business is pretty big business. There are $28 million small businesses in America, which account for 54 percent of all U.S. sales. They provide 55 percent of American jobs. In the last 25 years, while big business eliminated 4 million jobs, small businesses have added 8 million new jobs.

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