KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Across the country, Saturday was Small Business Saturday. It's a national effort to get people to shop at locally owned stores in hopes that it will boost the local economy.

In Kirksville, the campaign was spearheaded by the Kirksville Downtown Improvement Committee. Shoppers were able to use coupons to get special deals at downtown stores. One of the shoppers we spoke to came all the way from Chicago to shop here.

"I love these shops," said Molly Towns.  "I've been coming here for years. "

"My husband's family has been here for years. So, we always try and hit some of the stores here. I think they have great things. Being from Chicago, I could see other places and other stores but I like all the cute things here."

Small businesses make a tremendous impact on the overall Missouri economy. According to federal statistics, small businesses account for 98 percent of Missouri employers and they employ about 50 percent of the state's non-government workforce.

Many of the participating businesses in the downtown area said that the holiday season makes their year. They said they will continue to have deals leading up to Christmas.