In an effort to refocus its “Made for You, Mundelein” advertising campaign, village officials are encouraging residents to shop locally this holiday season, in an effort to continue promoting the town’s businesses.
The updated campaign, titled “Handmade for the Holidays…Shop Local. Shop Mundelein,” urges residents to do their holiday shopping in town across multiple different platforms. Mayor Steve Lentz said it is especially important this time of year to think about shopping locally, as the holidays account for a major portion of retail revenues.
“We want Mundelein retailers to partake in the holiday spending spree and not get overlooked,” Lentz told Pioneer Press. “Our residents will hopefully shop local first whenever possible.”
Throughout the holiday season, officials will also take to social media, posting short video messages that push local shopping and include announcements from businesses. To start, businesses in the past couple weeks have begun to receive campaign posters and flyers.
To pair with this, the village marketing campaign’s website will allow business owners to submit various promotions they are having, as well as update the site with local business stories, according to village news release about the marketing push.
The village is also hosting a holiday raffle that includes chances to win gift cards to various Mundelein businesses. To qualify, people must have shopped locally for goods ranging from groceries, gas, flowers, services or apparel, according to the marketing campaign website. Shoppers can then submit their receipts, and for every $100 they spend they receive one raffle entry.
Between Dec. 3 and Jan. 14, officials will draw names every Friday, with the first place prize being a $100 gift card, second a $50 gift card and third a $25 gift card. Receipts dated Nov. 15 and after are eligible, officials said.
Village Planner Taylor Wegrzyn said the village did something like this last year as well, but it was during the “infancy” of the “Made in Mundelein” campaign, he said.
“We wanted to double down this year,” he told Pioneer Press. “Really drive it home that if you’re out there getting your gifts for your friends and family, to really consider supporting local.”
Originally launched in early 2021, “Made In Mundelein, Made For You” is a long-term advertising program aimed at promoting businesses in town. Along with helping spread the word for businesses, the campaign is also centered around getting residents to think locally for their needs.
“Small businesses are the soul of our community,” a news release from the village states. “This is why we believe it is imperative to invest in our businesses through this campaign.”