This week, after Thanksgiving has filled us all and then some, we will have calories to burn while shopping on Black Friday.

Of course, Friday isn’t the only big shopping day of this week. There’s also Small Business Saturday, a chance to give back to locals who have invested in our communities and neighborhoods.

Both LaGrange and Hogansville already gave locals a reason to shop last weekend during Sip & Shop events.  While few are sure how long either of the Sip & Shop events have been a tradition, business owners and shoppers look forward to it.

It’s no wonder why — they raise a sense of community and support the local economy at the same time

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 1 million small businesses in Georgia, as of this year. There are about 1.6 million people who work for these businesses.

Here at the Daily News, we often try to highlight these small local businesses with our weekly profiles. Whether it’s clothes or goods or technology, all of these businesses have one thing in common — a person who had a passion for their business and the drive to make it happen.

Local business owners here in LaGrange, and Troup County, work hard to make their stores succeed.

With the events this weekend, they just show how much owners care about not only their stores, but also customers.

With Small Business Saturday coming up, after Black Friday, it’s important to go back to local businesses to try to fill out your Christmas list.

It’s nice to support the community and those we know by shopping small, and we hope to see you downtown Saturday.