HOLLY DEGROOT, OWNER of Bijou Lovely, shows off some of the gift items available in her Iron Mountain store. She will be among the businesses participating in Small Business Saturday. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

After the madding crowds on Black Friday thin, Saturday will offer the opportunity to go more low-key and local in looking for the right gift.

Small Business Saturday, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, runs counter to better-known shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “Shop Small” campaign encourages patronizing local area brick-and-mortar businesses instead of supercenters and e-commerce stores.

The initiative began in 2010 when American Express sponsored 10,000 small-scale merchants by offering them $100 worth of free social media advertising. The company also gave Amex cardholders $25 to spend in local independent stores.

Since then, the holiday has grown and customers have spent an estimated $85 billion at independent stores on Small Business Saturday.

“It used to be that the malls were where everyone wanted to shop,” said Sammantha DeJesus, co-owner of home decor shop Mully and Mo’s. “Now you’re seeing a shift where people want to come back ‘downtown.'”

This is important for independent stores, which account for 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and generates 54 percent of annual sales, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. It also is important for local economies. The research firm Civic Economics estimates that 68 cents of every dollar spent in a local store stays in the community, compared with 43 cents from a franchise store.

While Black Friday remains the busiest shopping day of the year, Small Business Saturday does appear to have made its mark as well. In a survey done for American Express and the SBA, 89 percent of consumers said the day reminds them to shop locally all year long, not just during the holiday season.

“It’s nice to have something to remind people,” said Holly DeGroot, owner of Bijou Lovely in Iron Mountain. “It’s also nice to reward our customers with a sale.”

Bijou Lovely will offer 20 percent off all fabrics and sewing notions, and 10 percent off all other items today and Saturday, when they will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Complimentary cookies will be available as well.

Mully and Mo’s will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, with 20 percent off plaid, jewelry, blankets and select ornaments. They will also have 50 percent off and buy one, get one free deals on boxed Christmas cards and wrapping paper. Hot cider and cookies are free.

Crispigna’s Italian Market, which has been in business for almost a century, is offering free sauce, up to $5.99, with the purchase of any type of ravioli. They will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Echo Boutique will extend its hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Customers can spin a wheel for 10, 15, or 20 percent off purchases and win prizes.

Hello Again Consignments will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. New coffeehouse Organic Grounds will feature their turmeric, honey and organic brown sugar lattes to bring shoppers in for the day.

“It has been an exciting year for downtown Iron Mountain, with a handful of new businesses opening,” said Paula Craven, program director of the Iron Mountain Downtown Development. “I can think of no better way to support these businesses and their success than to visit them on Small Business Saturday.”

More information on local businesses participating in Small Business Saturday can be found online at downtownironmountain.com or the Downtown Iron Mountain page on Facebook.

Iron County businesses also are taking part in the movement. Shoppers can pick up complimentary coffee, donuts and a coupon booklet at welcome stations before heading to their favorite shops.

“This is our second year putting on a Small Business Saturday event,” said Erika Lindwall, chamber director for the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance. “The whole purpose is to bring awareness to the importance of locally owned businesses to our economic vitality, and then to get the community to be more intentional and conscientious about their everyday purchases.”

For more on Iron County’s Small Business Saturday event, go online to www.iron.org/shopsmall.