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Barriere Chamber sponsoring Passport to Shopping

This year’s campaign runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 19 - draw for a gift basket to be done Dec. 22

The Barriere and District Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce they will be sponsoring their 3rd Annual Passport to Shopping Christmas Campaign.

This campaign was started to bring awareness to the community about shopping local when possible, and to remind shoppers to check around town first, as there are many great items right here in our own community.

This year’s campaign will run from Nov. 29 to Dec. 19, with the draw for a gift basket to be done Dec. 22, at Armour Mountain Office Services.

Participating businesses will have passport cards available for customers by Nov. 29.

Three retailers and one restaurant stamp are required. When your card is complete, fill out the back and drop into one of the various drop boxes that will be provided. You can enter as many times as you like.

“We had a fantastic number of cards entered last year, and we hope to see all the businesses participate again this year,” says Chamber rep Marie Downing.

Late night shopping will be on Friday, Dec. 12,  with stores being open until 8 p.m., home-based businesses and farmer’s market in the Legion basement from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Christmas Tree Light-up and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13, and the Senior’s Christmas Sale Nov. 29 are just a part of scheduled events.

Check out the facebook page (facebook.com/BarrierePassportToHolidayShopping), the website (www.barrierechamber.com) and watch the Star/Journal for more information and event dates.

Remember, when you shop with local merchants more of your money stays close to home; supporting the parks, libraries and other things that make your community a great place to live.

“Going local does not mean walling off the outside world. It means nurturing locally owned businesses which use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self-sufficient and less dependant on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs,” is a quote from Michael H. Shuman, author of the book Going Local.

1. Local Economic Stimulus.

When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the local tax base.

2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.

Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.

3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity

The unique character of your local community is defined in large part by the business that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your overall satisfaction with where you live and the value of your home and property.

4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.

Small local business usually set up shop in the town/village center, providing a centralized variety that is much friendlier to a community’s walk score than out of town shopping malls. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally. Plus the more jobs you have in your local community the less people are going to have to commute which means more time and less traffic and pollution.

6. Customer Service Is Better.

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service. You are also going to see these people around town and they are less likely to blow you off or be rude because they have to face you day after day.

7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community’s welfare and future.

8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.

Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.

9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.

10. You Matter More

We talk a lot about exerting influence with your purchasing choices, or “voting with your wallet.” It’s a fact that business respond to their customers but your values and desires are much more influential to your local community business than the large big box stores.