NORFOLK, Neb. -- It was an important weekend for smaller businesses around the country. Saturday marked ‘Small Business Saturday’ as the annual day encouraging shoppers to check out their local shops and appreciate what they do for the community.

Small Business Saturday was originally started by American Express back in 2010 as a way to encourage holiday shopping on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

A newer shop in downtown Norfolk that specializes in candy called 4th Street Sweets has only been in business a couple of months. The business is owned by Stephanie Fleming and her husband. Fleming said Small Business Saturday gives more local businesses a chance to get some of the spotlight.

“You get to know the people that own the businesses and you want to support them,” Fleming said. “It’s just more special to be able to buy something from someone you know than go to a big Walmart or big box stores. It’s helping other people pay their mortgage. To help other people support their kid's sports. It’s just a nice thing to do.”

Fleming and her husband moved from Colorado to start the shop. Since opening, she said the community response has been overwhelming.

“We’ve had a really great four months of our first year open, “ Fleming said. “The shop small movement is great to get people downtown. We still get people that don’t know we’re here yet. It’s been really great.”

With the weather being favorable, shoppers downtown had the perfect opportunity to support their small businesses.