While some people were recuperating from a Thanksgiving feast or cheering on Alabama or Auburn in the Iron Bowl, others were out looking for deals and taking advantage of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Big name stores like Wal-Mart and online retailers like Amazon had big shopping weekends, but many of the local merchants had big crowds as well.

“We had an awesome weekend,” said Zuheir Dabit, owner of On Time Fashions. “We were really, really busy, way busier than we thought we would be.”

Dabit said the store had its biggest sale of the year on Black Friday offering customers a buy one, get one 50 percent off the entire store deal.

Nearly 20 local stores took part in Black Friday and Small Business Saturday to take advantage of shoppers making a mad dash to get the holiday shopping season started.

“We had a really good day,” said Chet Chappelle, owner of Rountree Outdoors.

“For Black Friday, we had some specials on some items, and we had a really good crowd.”

While Small Business Saturday was intended to encourage people to shop local, the stores were battling the Iron Bowl and the weather.

Doris Truax, owner of Butler Truax Jewelers, said the Iron Bowl is tough competition.

“I think it’s hard on Alabama businesses on that Saturday because we have to compete with the Auburn- Alabama football game,” Truax said.

Tommy Carter of Junebuggs said his store had a good weekend, but the crowd slowed down as game time approached.

“We could tell when it slowed down about 30 minutes before the game started, but we still had a good day,” Carter said. “I think it would have been a little better without that.”

Many store owners said the Iron Bowl played a role in shopping Saturday, but most of them had a good weekend overall.

“We had nice traffic for those that chose to shop local on Friday. It was more consistent on what we’ve had on Black Friday,” said Carl Bowline, Carter Drugs and Allez-Oup marketing director.

December is an important month for local retailers.

“[This time of year] is more important than I can verbalize,” Truax said. “Somebody said, ‘December is your big time, isn’t it?’ And I said December is the only time.”

Truax said her store will have bargains and special deals going all month long to keep shoppers thinking about shopping there.

“Without the holidays stores wouldn’t be able to make it because that is basically what makes ends meet,” Dabit said.