SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Sperry's Restaurant on Caroline Street has been part of the Saratoga Springs community for 85 years. Over the decades, the restaurant has become a tradition for many visiting the spa city.

But last Thanksgiving, all that was in jeopardy after a fire damaged several buildings just before the holiday shopping season began. 

The total loss for the establishments cost more than $100,000 each. But with support from the community and surrounding businesses they were all able to reopen earlier this year.

"We probably could not have gotten through what we did without a lot of the businesses in town," Dillon said.

This weekend, they're all grateful to be able to take part in the 8th annual Small Business Saturday. Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the day recognizes small businesses across the county.

Business owners say it's important to shop small because the money stays in the community. That means continued support for each other, which was evident during difficult times like last Thanksgiving. 

"Certainly people were very supportive," Johnson said. "They came out and we appreciate their loyalty."