‘Shop Owensboro’ returns Saturday
The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s “Shop Owensboro, Powered by Independence Bank” campaign returns on Saturday, Nov. 25, for the ninth year and continues through Dec. 2.
The event to encourage people to shop locally had been a one-day affair until 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic limited the number of people who could be in a store at the same time.
It was expanded to a week then, and the chamber has kept it that way to give people more time to shop the more than 60 stores participating
Until then, it had just been part of Small Business Saturday, an event started by American Express in 2010 to help bring shoppers to locally-owned stores.
The name change was to elevate the Small Business Saturday concept and focus on shopping local with chamber members.
Shoppers will be able to pick up their free shopping bags at Independence Bank, 2425 Frederica St., at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Only 500 bags are available.
“Our goal throughout the year is to remind our community how important it is to shop local,” Candance Castlen Brake, chamber president, said Monday. “The men and women who own those businesses are our friends and neighbors who give back to our schools, churches and non-profits.”
She said, “They believe in Owensboro. It is only right that we invest back into them. Small business Saturday is often their biggest revenue day of the year, and it is also an opportunity for them to connect with new customers.”
Shopping bags will include coupons and discounts to participating stores along with hidden gift certificates.
The bags will also include a map with participating stores and a Shop Owensboro Bingo card.
To play Shop Owensboro Bingo, collect stamps on your card from stores you purchase items from throughout the week.
Purchases made online through local retailers or through curbside pick-up, delivery or drive-through can provide proof of purchase in lieu of a stamp.
Bingo cards should be returned to the chamber office, 200 E. Third St., by noon on Dec. 8 for a chance to win a $100 gift card from Independence Bank.
Participating businesses include A Day in Time, Adorn, Alisa Nicole Dance Wear, Azzip Pizza, Bella Ragazza Boutique, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Boutique 54, Byron & Barclay, Chicken Salad Chick, Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel, David P. Taylor Antiques, Dipso 4th Street, Don Mario’s Mexican Restaurant, Drake’s, Envogue, Eyemart Express, Free Your Mind, Body and Soul Wellness, Goodwood Brewing and Spirits, Gramps Coffee and Donuts, Green River Appliance & Furniture, Hill View Farms Market, Ivy Trellis Floral & Gift, J.J. Fosters, Julep Home and Gift, Kahawa Java, Kidstop Children’s Boutique, Kingdom Cords, Lance & Co. Jewelers, Legends Outfitters of Active People., Legends Sports Bar and Grill, Liquor Barn, Meadow House Flowers + Gifts, Moonbow Apothecary & Emporium, Nick T. Arnold Jewelers, Niko’s Bakery and Café, Orangetheory Fitness Owensboro, Owensboro Health Healthpark, Owensboro Symphony, Party Paper Place, Peacocks and Pearls Boutique, Preservation Station, Pure Barre, Real Hacienda, Real Hacienda 54, Red Wing Shoes, RYco Jewelers, Robin’s Resale & Boutique, Senior Community Center Pin Cushion Gift Shop, Shoe Stop, Simply Chic Home Accents, SIP Owensboro, Spirit Spa, LLC, Stephen Lawrence, LTD, Swank Style & Boutique LLC, Trunnell’s Market & Gourmet Deli, The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Co., The Earle Men’s Shop, The Functional Family, The Scrub Shoppe, The Skin Therapist, Ward Family Dentistry, Whittaker Guns and Willow and Pine Market LLC
By Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer