Local businesses encourage shopping local this Cyber Monday

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - It was a record-breaking Thanksgiving weekend for the U.S economy both in the skies and in stores for Black Friday sales.

Sales made from mobile devices accounted for more than half of all purchases, while visits to brick-and-mortar stores were up nearly 5% from last year.

Americans are expected to spend a record breaking $12 billion for Cyber Monday and local businesses are hoping to get in on that action as well.

Look no further than your own community this holiday season for unique gifts and bargains this holiday season.

South Bend local businesses including The Botany Shop, Brain Lair Books, and Unique Boutique are hoping to keep the buzz from Small Business Saturday through the holiday season both in their store fronts and online.

For Cyber Monday, they're offering rewards along with gifts they gave to give this season, that big chains may not.

Ben Futa, owner of the Botany Shop stressed the importance of shopping local this holiday season, adding that American Express estimates for every $100 spent at a local business this holiday season, about 68 of those dollars will stay in the local economy.

"What makes local businesses so unique is that we share this community with all of you. And in our own way rather it's through plants or books or coffee of cheese or whatever it is we happen to be sharing. We're creating what we're creating and selling what we are creating, because we love it so much and we want to share it with other people and live in a city that has all these things,” said Futa.

For more information, visit Downtown South Bend's website as they promote locally owned retail businesses all season long.