O come all ye faithful shoppers … help kick Barrhead’s ever-accelerating “shop local” campaign into an even higher gear.
With just 15 days until Christmas, businesses hope a late rush of loyal shoppers will leave them joyful and triumphant.
And come Jan. 5 one shopper will be sporting the biggest smile in Barrhead after claiming the grand draw prize – $2,000 worth of travel vouchers bought locally at Meier Travel.
They are good for a get-away-from-it-all Caribbean cruise. Surely nobody would resist the chance to trade the Alberta winter, albeit briefly, for a sun-kissed sandy beach?
But if cruising is not your style, the $2,000 can go towards another holiday.
The “shop local” Christmas campaign is being run by the Barrhead Chamber of Commerce and has the full backing of Mayor Brian Schulz.
“I commend the Chamber and businesspeople that are stepping up to try to do something about keeping our business community healthy,” he said last Wednesday.
Forty-two merchants are participating in the annual effort to convince people of the benefits of shopping locally and boosting the economy: it safeguards jobs; it ensures stores continue hiring local staff; it means businesses can expand and offer even greater selections of merchandise.
Customers who spend in a participating business will receive a ballot, which they can fill out and put in a draw box.
One of the campaign organizers, Cheryle Morris, who runs Main Street’s Define Clothing, explained the thinking behind the grand prize.
“We wanted it to be a huge thank you to all those who shop locally,” she said. “We wanted to give them something different this year, something different than money.
“We thought a Caribbean cruise would be fun and exciting, but if that doesn’t appeal the winner can choose another holiday package.”
Morris emphasized the importance of shopping locally.
“If it wasn’t for shoppers in Barrhead supporting local businesses, we wouldn’t be able to be here, bringing people in from Westlock, Mayerthorpe and Swan Hills,” she said.
“Shopping locally saves on the cost of gas and meals in the city. It also saves on time and is less stressful.”
Another campaign organizer, Carol Farnalls, publisher of the Barrhead Leader, said the shop local promotion seemed to be popular with shoppers.
“Just about everyone that comes into the Leader office enters to win the cruise package,” she said.
“I think it’s a great deal, everyone needs to get away from the cold of an Alberta winter and it encourages people to shop locally, plus it benefits local merchants.”
Farnalls said the Christmas season was vital for local retailers.
“The more foot traffic they have in their stores, the better,” she said. “The shop local promotion is just one more reason for holiday shoppers to rejoice in the season.”
She said she couldn’t wait to see who won the grand draw prize on Jan. 5.
The shop local campaign was discussed at last Thursday’s Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Participating businesses were urged to remind customers of the opportunity to enter the grand draw.
Schulz, a businessmen for over 30 years, said the future of Barrhead’s business health depended on a mutually supportive relationship between stores and consumers.
“I think the Chamber of Commerce is working hard to encourage people to shop locally and I am 100 per cent behind their efforts,” he said.
