Andrea Campbell made a trip from Mound City to buy some bar stools at Home Style Furniture and Flooring. The Shop St. Joseph program begins Nov. 17.
A St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce holiday promotion continues to seek business participants on the eve of its third consecutive year.
Shop St. Joseph is designed to help increase customer traffic and improve profits for the participating merchants for the upcoming shopping season. Organizers said the program also stimulates customer loyalty, retains sales revenue and enhances public awareness of products available at local retailers during the holidays. The promotion kicks off Nov. 17 and concludes with a $10,000 grand prize awarded to a shopper at a Dec. 21 drawing.
Bob Hand, owner of Home Style Furniture and Flooring at East Hills Shopping Center, is entering the business into the promotion for the third time. The shop-at-home theme impels his interest for its accent on community support - even from out-of-town shoppers - and because it generates significant customer interest.
"As a business person, I don't like to see people leave town" for their retail purchases, Mr. Hand said.
Participants not only increase their market exposure, Chamber officials said, but retain more money in the local economy.
"While we contribute staff support to manage the program, it is not a fundraiser for the Chamber," said Ted Allison, president and chief executive officer.
Revenues from Shop St. Joseph are held in a restricted, separate account, apart from the Chamber's general account, Mr. Allison said.
The program initially drew 46 merchants in 2007 and attracted 43 businesses last year. For as little as $200 for businesses with five full-time employees or fewer - or $250 for businesses with more than five full-time employees - a merchant will receive one roll of 2,000 numbered tickets to distribute to customers.
Shoppers must visit the participating merchants to be eligible to win. The Chamber reserves the right to cancel the program if there are not enough participating businesses, with full refunds given to participants.
The Chamber intends to publicize Shop St. Joseph through local media advertising. Certain prize eligibility restrictions will apply. A Shop St. Joseph committee organized by the Chamber will oversee the program.
Call Natalie Leonard-Redmond at 364-4107 or e-mail her at leonard@saintjoseph.com for more information. Businesses must sign up by Nov. 16 to be included in the program and its marketing campaign. A business must be a Chamber member to participate.
Ray Scherer can be reached
at rscherer@npgco.com.
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