Media’s vital small business community was highlighted this year for Small Business Saturday, an annual tradition that follows Black Friday, writes Madeleine Wright and Alan Wheeler for CBS News Philadelphia. 

The 41-year-old owner of Cafesphere on State Street said she has dreamed of running a coffee shop since emigrating from Poland.

“When I first came to the United States, that was 2004, I really fell in love with the whole coffee shop culture here in the United States,” said Maggie Pasciak.

Small Business Saturday means a lot to this married mother of two. Her cafe, which opened only last month, is among dozens of shops that saw an uptick in business this past weekend.

Small stores play a role in the mix of online and big box stores that kick off holiday shopping.

As an incentive to shop in Media, shoppers had free street parking through Sunday and free kettle corn, courtesy of the Media Business Authority.

Janet Morales, co-owner of Three Potato Four, a media gift shop, with her husband, said small businesses make up the heart of a community.

“Me and my husband live in this town and it’s just important to support small shops,” she said.

Find out more about the Media small business community at CBS News Philadelphia.