PEORIA ( 25News Now ) - Small Business Saturday brings in critical holiday shopping traffic for local shops across Central Illinois, but forecasts for a big winter storm could threaten that needed revenue.

Employees at two small businesses in Peoria say Small Business Saturday is their busiest time of the year.

Purple Bubble Bar Manager Joslyn Waleed said she is concerned winter weather could prevent people from walking in the door, impacting profit. She said Small Business Saturday brings in 40% more foot traffic than the average Saturday.

“The footprint that people shopping locally has on these small businesses is immense,” Waleed said. “We wouldn’t survive without it.”

She said when people shop in-store, especially at local, smaller businesses, they are more likely to put more in

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