Small Business Saturday underway

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Small Business Saturday is underway.

The third-annual event, held after the frenzy of Black Friday, aims to help support small local businesses by encouraging shopping there.

The US Small Business Administration reports that more than 100 million people nationwide shopped at independently-owned small business last year.

Here in Rhode Island, many of those business owners are thankful for the boost in sales.

"People really come out for Small business Saturday. We see a huge jump in business. It's really a great thing. You really get a sense that people want to support their local mom and pop businesses," said Asher Schofield, owner of the Frog and Toad on Providence's East Side.

For more information for both shoppers and store owners, visit www.sba.gov/saturday or Facebook.com/smallbusinesssaturday .