Shoppers show up for Chamber’s ‘Shop Owensboro, Powered by Independence Bank’
Shoppers looking for deals turned up at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning at Independence Bank of Frederica Street for a chance to grab one of 500 green shopping bags filled with
coupons, deals and, possibly, gift cards. The green shopping bags are part of “Shop Owensboro, Powered by Independence Bank”, a campaign sponsored by Independence Bank and
organized by the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce that focuses on getting the community out to shop at local businesses.
The event initially began as a way to promote “Small Business Saturday”, a movement started by American Express in 2010 to help encourage shopping at locally-owned small
businesses following shopping on Black Friday, but has morphed into a week-long shopping and saving extravaganza. The Chamber of Commerce expanded the campaign in 2020
during the pandemic when stores were only allowed a limited shopping capacity in order to give people plenty of opportunity to shop and, because of the success, the week of sales,
savings and promotion of locally-owned businesses has continued.
The parking lot of Wesleyan Park Plaza was fuller than usual as shoppers piled into local businesses such as Shoe Stop, Julep Home & Gift, The Glass Factory and Bella Regazza Boutique.
Elizabeth Wilson, who owns Julep Home & Gift with her mother, Sharon Wilson, said that they look forward to this event every year.
“We usually have such a wonderful turnout and experience that we look forward to this every year,” Wilson said.
Tara Thomas, assistant manager at Shoe Stop, agreed.
“It’s like this nice extension to Black Friday so we get an entire weekend of great sales,” she said.
Both businesses provide coupons in the green bags which were handed out on Saturday morning at Independence Bank.
“We’re offering 15% off for any order over $200,” Wilson said. “But we also draw some customers in because of our curated gift table that we set up specifically during the holiday season.”
Wilson said that the store bundles items together on the gift table and offers them at a slight discount. The gifts on the table range in price from $8 to $40.
“We notice that people sometimes just need a gift for those random people in their lives that can be difficult to shop for or that they just need something special, and we’ve got that covered,” she said.
Wilson said that shoppers enjoy having the selection of gifts already put together so “they don’t have to think about it.”
Julep Home and Gift sells items such as wrapping paper, Christmas ornaments, candles, trinkets, and so much more.
Also included inside the green shopping bags picked up from Independence Bank are Bingo-like stamp cards. Customers take these cards to different small-business locations for a stamp for a chance to win a prize by filling up the stamped card.
“I stopped at Skin Therapy first to get my stamp and goodie bag,” said shopper Becky Ford who was trying on new shoes at Shoe Stop. “Now, I’m here buying new shoes.”
Ford said that this was her first year coming out to get the green shopping bag at the bank.
“I came out with a friend of mine and now we’re doing some shopping and meeting back up to have lunch together later,” she said.
Ford said that she wanted to come out today and help support local businesses.
Thomas said that she enjoys watching shoppers stop by, even if it’s just to get those Bingo cards punched.
“At least shoppers are getting into the store to see what all we have to offer. Everyone seems to be smiling and enjoying themselves which can sometimes be a nice change of pace coming away from a hectic Black Friday,” she said.
Wilson expressed gratitude to the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for hosting the event for local small businesses.
“I can’t thank the Chamber enough for holding the event,” Wilson said. “I know it can’t be an easy undertaking and that it’s a lot of work, but we as small business owners really appreciate the consideration, and we’re thankful to the Chamber for highlighting small businesses.”
By Michele Ruxer Messenger-Inquirer