Many small businesses throughout the U.S. experienced a successful second Small Business Saturday this past weekend, 11/26. Small Business Saturday aims to redirect holiday spending to local shops that often suffer under the deep discounts offered at big-box retailers during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and throughout the holiday shopping season.

Bicyclists take a break to shop at Backyard Gardens, a locally owned shop in Ohiopyle.
AllBusiness.com reports that American Express, a Small Business Saturday supporter, said last year's "participating businesses saw a 28 percent jump in sales compared with the same shopping day in 2009." And though this year's figures have not yet been released, according to Sageworks, private retailers have enjoyed strong growth in 2010 and 2011, so it may be safe to assume that 2011's Small Business Saturday will show an even greater sales increase.
In case you didn't know, our Trail Towns offer a range of small businesses including retail shops, restaurants, lodging facilities, and a lot more. If you missed out on Small Business Saturday, it's not too late to get your holiday shopping, or shopping in general, done, and what better place to do so than in a Trail Town?

The Pedestrian Mall in Cumberland offers a range of small, local shops.
For more information on where to shop and/or dine in the towns, click on the following links to each town's brochure, map, and directory.
- West Newton: Check out Burtner's Rock & Gem Jewelry.
- Connellsville: Get some shopping done at ArtWorks Connellsville, La Boheme Glass, and Riverwalk Antiques.
- Ohiopyle: Shopping highlights include Wilderness Voyageurs and Backyard Gardens.
- Confluence: Stop by The Confluence House Wine & Gift Shop and River's Edge Antiques.
- Rockwood: The Rockwood Mill Shoppes offer a range of products from antiques to local food items.
- Meyersdale: The Rt. 160 Auction House Store is a historic spot not to be missed.
- Frostburg: Forget Barnes & Noble, and shop at Main Street Books instead.
- Cumberland: The Shops at Canal Place, Shoppes at 61, and many others in and around the Pedestrian Mall should cover all your shopping needs.
What are your favorite Trail Town shops, and where will you be shopping this holiday season? If you're a small business owner, did you have a successful Small Business Saturday? Comment below!