AUSTIN, Texas – The City of Austin is reminding the public that Small Businesses Saturday is this weekend.

“This annual highlight promotes Austin’s small businesses by encouraging residents and visitors to spend their holiday shopping dollars with local boutiques, artisans, restaurants, and independent stores,” reads a release from the city.

This year city leaders are putting a focus on the Souly Austin Business Districts, a program designed to help local businesses in certain areas of the city.

Those include the East Cesar Chavez District, 12th East Austin, the North Lamar International District, South Congress, and the Red River Cultural District. You can learn more about each of these regions and the businesses within them by clicking here.

The Economic Development Department says shopping locally can impact the local economy, citing statistics from the Small Business Association showing that small businesses create about two-thirds of new jobs in the U.S. each year.

Those who choose to shop offline this year are reminded to wear masks and to maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.