OAKLAND — What initially began as a local movement countering Black Friday shopping binges has spread across the nation as many local businesses band together to form the fabric of a new holiday: Plaid Friday.

More than 40 businesses in Oakland participated in the event, opening their stores slowly throughout the day to customers that have been turned off by the competitive shopping event traditionally known as Black Friday.

Seven years after its inception, Plaid Friday has spread across the nation, from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine, and Fargo, North Dakota, in between.

Plaid was picked to represent the weaving together of the diverse threads of small businesses to make a community fabric.

Kerri Johnson, owner of Marion and Rose’s Workshop in downtown Oakland, started the trend in 2009 when she saw local businesses and shoppers just staying home on Black Friday rather than fight the crowds at the big-box stores.

When she asked around, other small businesses in the area joined in and the public responded.

“The city of Oakland has really embraced it,” Johnson said. “And with the way the election went, people just want to talk, be around each other and be a part of something.”

The city embraced the idea with free parking throughout streets and at four city-owned parking lots. The free parking will extend from Plaid Friday and throughout what is now called Plaid Weekend and for every Saturday until New Year’s Day.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf stopped by local businesses throughout the city on Friday.

“More than ever, we need to put our money where our hearts are and support Oakland’s small businesses, which are the backbone of our local economy,” Schaaf said. “Oakland is full of so many great places to buy one-of-a-kind gifts and celebrate at any time of the year, and we want to make sure that residents and visitors, alike, take full advantage of all Oakland has to offer this holiday season.”

A growing number of businesses have joined and collaborated to donate a portion of their proceeds to selected charities. Rare Bird on Piedmont Avenue is donating 15 percent of its sales to the Sierra Club and Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization. Johnson recently lost her father to cancer and is donating a portion of her proceeds to the Cancer Research Institute.

Over at Beast Mode Apparel on Broadway, the store was offering 24 percent off all items. Started by former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, the store will also be donating a portion of its proceeds to Lynch’s Fam 1st Family Foundation, which supports Bay Area youths through scholarships, college test prep and career education.

The line starting to stretch down Broadway wasn’t for Black Friday sales, though.

“YG is coming here to do a signing,” manager Brije Gammagh said. “We’ve been getting a little attention.”

Rapper YG, who kicked off his anti-Donald Trump tour at the Fox Theater in Oakland on Friday, released his newest mix tape “Red Friday,” with an exclusive signing of 1,400 limited edition copies at Beast Mode on Friday.

Tiara Mitchell was the first in line, having waited since 6 a.m. in hopes of getting an autograph from YG.

“I woke up too early this morning, but I’m just a big fan,” Mitchell said. “I already did some online shopping, so this is for me.”