Shop Garretson First!
Shopping locally is even more important now than ever before. The last few years have brought home how important shopping with your local merchants are, as they provide services that cannot be found anywhere else.
As they do every year, the Garretson Commercial Club is sponsoring a “Shop Garretson First” prize drawing with the Garretson Food Center. Each participating business has “Shop Garretson First…put your $$ where your Heart is!” punch cards so you can get a punch for every dollar you spend with a Garretson Commercial Club member.
Punch cards officially begin on Monday, November 18, and each week, Garretson Food Center’s Ron Luke will draw for three winners from the selection of cards returned to Garretson Food Center. Each winner receives a $25 Garretson Commercial Club gift certificate, which can be spent at any GCC member business.
The final two winners are drawn the weekend of Garretson Hometown Christmas on Dec. 14th and will be awarded $50 each.
All winners will be contacted by phone and announced in this newspaper. (Readers of this newspaper should note that by starting or renewing your subscription in November you’ll be automatically entered into this contest.)
Hometown Christmas will be held December 14. Events include Santa visits, a vendor fair, arts and crafts for kids, a community breakfast, a chili feed, and a parade of lights. All events and registration forms will be found at VisitGarretsonSD.com/hometown-christmas.
Shopping locally during the Christmas season is more important than ever. The National Retail Federation estimates that nearly 20 percent of a business’s sales come during the holiday season. This means the support from holiday shopping will be more critical than ever before for many small businesses.
Almost two-thirds of small businesses have a website, according to the Small Business Administration. As you search for the perfect gifts, intentionally seek options local businesses have for online shopping. If that is not available, you can directly call the business owner. Chances are you or someone you know already has their number.
Several options for small business shopping are available in Garretson, including Garretson Bucks, which can be obtained at First Bank & Trust. Those are available in $5 denominations and can be given as a gift, as they can be used at any Commercial Club member business (businesses are listed on the back of the certificate).
Each winner receives a Commercial Club Gift Certificate for the amount stated below.
Monday, November 25, 3 winners each get $25.
Monday, December 2, 3 winners each get $25.
Monday, December 9, 3 winners each get $25.
Saturday, December 14, 2 winners each get $50.
