You may have busted the door down yesterday or yanked a purple Furby out of someone’s hands, but don’t put that credit card back in your purse or wallet so quickly.

There’s shopping to do, people.

Today is Small Business Saturday or, as I like to call it, ‘find something unique in your own backyard and buy it day.’

Like Sweetest Day and Beggar’s Night, Small Business Saturday is a commercial holiday created by ‘The Man’ to get you to spend your hard earned moolah.

Difference is that this unofficial holiday won’t rot your teeth, and may just help an enterprising neighbor put food on the table.

American Express — the giant credit card company — says it created Small Business Saturday in 2010 “to help small businesses get more exposure during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.”

To me it sounds like a good reason to do something, and it’s good timing.

The day is wedged between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with rest for the wicked on Sunday.

Locally, Small Business Saturday is being celebrated by a variety of businesses, including Loralei’s Boutique consignment shop in Centerville and The Fine Art Center at Town and Country Shopping Center in Kettering. Visit

Loralei’s blog at loraleidaytonconsignment.com/2012-events or friend The Fine Art Center on Facebook for more information.

The Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce announced this week that the 65 shops and galleries in the village’s downtown are “inviting you to Shop Small-Buy Big-Give Unique.”

Likewise, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, a nonprofit organization that advocates for businesses, is reminding folks of shops downtown and in the Oregon District for one-of-a-kind, fun, funky art, clothing, records and others wares.

Brim, a new hat shop on Fifth Street in the Oregon District, will offer 20 percent off any one item in the store for the first 20 customers starting at 10 a.m.

Nearby, Clash Consignment Co. will celebrate the day and the business’ recent expansion with “SUPER LOW” prices on artwork and apparel, and music starting at 6 p.m. by Ethan Frederick, David Michael and a special DJ.

Additionally, the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau is highlighting some of the 140 antique, boutique and specialty shops in Lebanon, Springboro and Waynesville on its website and Facebook page, and hosted a giveaway contest.

There are other options, of course. The state and region, state and nation are filled with all types of small businesses.

According to the United States Small Business Administration, small businesses — those with 500 or fewer employers — make up 99.9 percent of all businesses.

Here’s a special day to celebrate small retailers.

So put your shoes on, grab your wallet and give one or two a try today.

Chances are you won’t have to fight anyone for a Furby.

And, you might just find a gift that makes the recipient say, “oh, my goodness where did you get that?” and mean that in a good way.

What do you think? What is your favorite small local retailer?