The countdown to the December holidays is here and so the shopping season continues with Small Business Saturday. As NY1's Erin Clarke reports, it's a day you can grab all your gifts while also giving back to your community. 

There's a gift for everyone inside this small business on Tenth Avenue.

Some rooms are even devoted to the man, woman or child in your life.

This is Story — a concept shop that changes its layout every few months or so and showcases more than 2,400 items from more than 300 other small businesses.

"I often say we're a small business that's by the small business for the small business," said Rachel Shechtman, founder of Story.

And what better place to highlight Small Business Saturday, another shopping "holiday".

This one created by American Express and always held the day after Black Friday with a focus on shopping local, small businesses instead of the big box stores.

"I think it's a fantastic initiative," said tourist Marlene Bennett. I think it's so easy that we just run to malls and I think we always need to be aware that someone is doing fantastic things down the street from your house."

Smaller stores typically offer a higher level of customer service, attention to detail and products you might not be able to find everywhere.

Story celbrated the day with a 12-hour line-up of activities with free food and drinks.

"I think it's fantastic and quite honestly being here today, it's been a community," said shopper Kimberly Bishop. "I've run into friends that I've seen and it's great to have everyone out looking at all the unique products from all the small businesses,"

And this is the sixth season of Small Business Saturday. Since it started in 2010, these small businesses have seen more and more customers coming through their doors.

Last year 88 million consumers shopped small on Small Business Saturday and they spent about $14 billion.

This year, those numbers are expected to increase.

"We definitely see a little surge doing Small Business Saturday, especially from our loyal customers," said Brad John, co-founder of Flight 001. "I think they save the day to come shop."

And those customers tend to come back.

"It basically supports local stores like mom and pop stores," said shopper Dennis Burkey.