The Hampshire Area Chamber of Commerce ran its first Small Business Saturday recently.
The first Small Business Saturday in the United States was observed on Nov. 27, 2010. It was created in order to encourage shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.
“We are trying to get people to shop local,” said Loree Hendry, the chamber’s executive director. “We will try to have a Small Business Saturday every quarter.”
Hampshire businesses participated in Small Business Saturday in different ways.
Ohana Dollar Store, 129 South State Street in Hampshire, is holding a raffle for a karaoke machine giveaway. According to Don and Maile Edmonson, owners of the store, every time a customer spends $10, they are given another chance to win. The drawing for the karaoke machine will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 6.
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Tuscan Sun Wine & Spirits, 107 Oak Knoll Drive (Illinois 72) in Hampshire, held a drawing for a $60 turkey fryer. The winner was Phil Lang of Hampshire.
“Residents should shop local if they can,” said Shashin Vyas, owner and manager of Tuscan Sun. “It keeps the money in their town.”
Dunkin Donuts, 1000 Oak Knoll Drive, raffled a To-Go cup with a straw lid. Hampshire Cleaners, 105 West Oak Knoll, offered $3 dry cleaning on all sweaters.
Other Hampshire businesses that participated in the first Small Business Saturday included: Floor Mat Shop, 150 Arrowhead Drive; J & R Feeds, 11N840 Romke Road, and OOga Lights, 150 Arrowhead Drive.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.