Several Danville businesses were booming on Saturday as consumers participated in Small Business Saturday.  

Heart of Danville’s interim Director Nick Wade said Small Business Saturday was great and every store he went into was completely packed.  

“It’s great to see people in the community participate and come out and support the local businesses and see what makes our downtown come to life and what makes us unique,” Wade said.  

During Small Business Saturday, Santa’s elves, also known as Wade and another Heart of Danville employee Mary Trollinger, made appearances at several businesses throughout the day to give out free sets of Elf on the Shelf figurines to kids who were shopping with their families.

“It’s been really fun giving kids the elf toys and spreading holiday cheer,” Trollinger said.  

For those who weren’t little enough to receive a free elf figurine, several businesses also gave out free “Shop Small” bags to their customers.

Several businesses saw a great number of people come in and out of their stores throughout the day.  

“It’s going well,” said Erica Yeary from Plank on Main. “We are staying busy and giving people ideas for great holiday gifts and some snacks along the way.”  

This is the first year Plank on Main has participated in Small Business Saturday, and Yeary said this has been a learning curve for the business.  

Cassie Baeker, owner of Vestiary on South Fourth Street, said this is the third year her business has participated in Small Business Saturday.  

“It’s always been one of our biggest days,” Baeker said. “It helps the community come together to support small businesses.”  

Maple Tree Gallery, located on Main Street also saw a large crowds of people come in and out of their store, as well.  

An employee at Maple Tree Gallery said it’s really fun to see new people come in along with those who haven’t shopped their in a long time.  

“The Small Business Saturdays are our biggest days for us … at least over the last two years or so,” she said. “(Friday) was an extremely busy day for us, too — way above last year.”  

She said they were expecting this year’s Small Business Saturday to be just as good, if not better, than last year.  

American Express launched the first ever Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27, 2010.

It was started to help encourage people to support small, local businesses in their communities.   

“I would like to thank American Express for putting this on every year,” Wade said.

American Express supplies Danville with stickers, banners and “shop smart swag,” he said.