Although Black Friday is known for drawing crowds of shoppers to big-box stores, smaller shops use Small Business Saturday to support patronage at local retailers. Small Business Saturday takes place Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The initiative was created in 2010  by American Express 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. 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. “Small Business Saturday is about supporting local businesses, the pillars of economic stability and job creation in communities all across America,” said Maria Contreras-Sweet, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, in a news release. Here is a sampling of Northwest Austin businesses participating Saturday: Buck's Bikes 12530 Research Blvd., Austin 512-250-9550 www.bucksbikes.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun. Bicycles and accessories as well as a service and repair shop Gallery of Pets 11689 Research Blvd., Austin 512-345-8920 www.galleryofpets.com Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun. 1-6 p.m. Pet supply shop and pet-sitting service Hana World Market 1700 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, Austin 512-832-6606 www.hanaworldmarket.net Hours: daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese and other Asian products A full map of local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday is available on the American Express Small Business Saturday website. Find something for everyone on your holiday gift list, including Fido or Fluffy, with options from some of Northwest Austin’s local stores in our 2016 holiday gift guide.