Big-box stores and shopping malls have Black Friday.

Online retailers have Cyber Monday.

But what about all those little mom-and-pop shops that serve as the bedrock of the local economy?

They have Small Business Saturday.

Observed on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the event encourages people to shop and support locally-owned businesses. This year, Small Business Saturday will take place on Nov. 26.

The movement has picked up steam since it was launched by American Express in 2010.

Downtown Oxford is one of those places that offers shoppers an opportunity to support their community. The area is home to a wide variety of locally-owned businesses, from restaurants to spas to clothing boutiques.

Some of these businesses face stiff competition from malls, big-box stores and chains, especially during the holiday shopping season.

According to Oxford Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Director Joe Frost, Small Business Saturday aims to remind Oxford residents of the importance of shopping locally.

“Downtown Oxford (store owners) are part of our community,” Frost said. “If you take your dollar to a big-box retailer, that dollar goes wherever that dollar goes . . . But if you bring your dollar to small businesses, it bolsters the local economy . . . (promotes) overall success within the community.”

According to Anna Taylor, owner of Pink and Charlie in downtown Oxford, her business gives to local organizations on a near-daily basis.

Taylor said her business has supported organizations like Oxford Schools robotics clubs, Crossroads for Youth, Love In The Name of Christ (Love INC) and local animal rescues.

“(Small Business Saturday) is a great way for us to promote our Main Street, our small business community and to spread the message of how vital it is that we have our small businesses survive in the downtown area,” said Taylor. “They are just so important to our needs in the community, the charities and the schools and all of the different organizations that depend on us. We’re basically their (means of) survival because we are the largest contributors to the organizations in our immediate area.”

In honor of Small Business Saturday, some businesses like Beadifferent Boutique, Creative Embroidery, Ella Fashion, Funky Monkey Toys, Pink & Charlie, Sweet and Savory Bake Shop and Victoria’s Delights will offer complimentary cookies and cocoa to shoppers from 11a.m. to 5p.m. Nov. 26, according to Taylor.