Black Friday is known for drawing crowds of eager shoppers to big-box stores, but smaller shops have Small Business Saturday to promote the idea of supporting local retailers and keeping holiday spending in the community. Small Business Saturday takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving and was started by American Express in 2010 to draw attention to small and family-owned businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year, said Small Business Saturday spokeswoman Nicole Reyhle. Last year, the event generated $16.2 billion dollars in retail sales nationwide, up from $14.3 billion in 2015, she said. Many businesses in the Conroe and Montgomery area are participating in the event, including: The Red Brick Tavern 119 Simonton St., Conroe 936-539-2000 www.theredbricktavern.com Mimi's on Main Antique Mall 312 N. Main St., Conroe 936-441-0002 www.facebook.com/mimis-on-main-an-antique-mall-more-121004691312880/ Jim's Hardware 200 Liberty St., Montgomery 936-597-8922 www.jimsdoitbest.com Ruthie Grace Boutique 21012 Eva St., Montgomery 936-597-6447 www.ruthegrace.com The Ranchers Daughter 14387 Liberty St., Montgomery 936-449-4100 www.ranchersdaughter.net Businesses that participate in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26 can receive promotional materials from American Express. Businesses do not have to accept American Express credit cards to use the posters, signs and other promotional items. Businesses are also using several social media hashtags for the event, including #shopsmall. Find local business participating in Small Business Saturday on the American Express Small Business Saturday website.