HARBOR SPRINGS, MI -- Local shoppers make small businesses survive.

In Emmet County, one woman moved away for a few years, came back, and noticed some store fronts were empty, and downtown wasn't bustling as much as it once had.

She wanted to change that so she started what has been a successful campaign.

"They’re not just here for us to look in their windows," says Stephanie Baker.

Stephanie says storefronts define downtowns, and in Harbor Springs, she noticed not only were stores closed, the sense of community was disappearing.

“Lots of things kind of changed, and shifted a little bit, and I wanted to get that back," she said.

So rather than just "live with it," the self-employed professional photographer started a community campaign, called "Show Your Love, Support Our Area, Shop Locally."  She wanted to bring awareness and unity to the "mom and pop" stores. 

"She’s turning everything right back to the town, so as far as the community goes, you can't ask for much better," said Josh Baker, who owns The Outfitter in Harbor Springs.

Stephanie started a Facebook page and a t-shirt and poster campaign to promote local, and the heart over the Little Traverse Bay area is now a symbol of nearly every Harbor Springs and Petoskey storefront. 

A report predicts that more than $300-million will be spent online this year.  Online purchases don’t pay sales taxes, and local businesses are losing out, as well as local communities.

It’s a sales tax that disappears from the local revenue stream.  According to the 3-50 Project, which urges people to spend $50 at three different local stores each month to help save local economies, 68 percent of money spent at a local store comes back to the community. 

"It’s very important, you are voting every day with what kind of community you want with how you shop," said Matt Norcross, Owner of McLean and Eakin Booksellers in Petoskey.

Norcross has donated $113,000 to local schools and charities, and Stephanie says this is just another perk of buying local, and another reason she hopes the simple symbol will be dynamic reminder.

“It's more about being cognizant of what you're doing, and it's more about being aware of what they're selling, so if you have the opportunity, you can," said Stephanie.

If you'd like to learn more about Stephanie's campaign, or join it (it's open to businesses throughout the surrounding area), you can CLICK HERE for more information.

This weekend, American Express is promoting "Small Business Saturday."

If you have an Amex card, you can sign up and shop locally Saturday and get $25 off your Amex bill.