GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Shoppers did not let the rain stop them from hitting the local stores for Small Business Saturday in downtown Greensboro. 

One shopper says it is important to support both the big stores and small stores. 

"The small businesses need a piece of that pie that everybody else gets and are going to get it anyway so the small businesses if you just designate a date just for them, then it puts them in the mind set for other people to think about the little guy," Alma Kennedy said. 

The owner of Aspen Boutique says it is a day to show what makes her store special. 

"I think it's an important day for our community to come together and shop. I'm a new business so I like people learning about me. It just brings awareness about what small businesses are and to get people to shop within their community," Jaime Hall, owner of Aspen Boutique said. 

She says the day is all about community.

"Small businesses are helping charities as well and keeping money in the community," Hall added. 

American Express Launched Small Business Saturday in 2010. All 50 states participated.