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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As the winter season approaches, the Holiday Shopping Marathon is encouraging the public to get in shape for Christmas.
Christmas gift giving that is.
In partnership with the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo City Tourism, Main Street Downtown and the Jamestown Civic Center, the goal of the Marathon is to increase local spending as well as raise awareness to the various retail offerings available here.
“Last year, Americans spent $1 billion online just on Black Friday,” said Searle Swedlund, executive director of Buffalo City Tourism. “Let’s keep those dollars here. The Holiday Shopping Marathon is the perfect opportunity – at a perfect time of year – for retail stores to display their offerings to Jamestown natives as well as those visiting from out of town.”
The Marathon begins Sunday, Nov. 3 in conjunction with the Jamestown Civic Center’s Gift & Craft Sale. The “race” ends 26 days later on Black Friday, Nov. 29.
As the committee prepares for the event, it is asking retail businesses to sign up and participate in the Marathon’s Punch Card. The goal of the Punch Card is to encourage shoppers to patronize local retail businesses as well as visit stores they’ve never entered. To complete the Punch Card, the shopper must visit at least a ten businesses.
“We’re hoping people realize that the Jamestown area has a wealth of shopping opportunities. Jewelry, for example, most people know Riddle’s and JCPenney offer a sizeable selection, but Babb’s Coffee House and the Frontier Fort sell accessories as well,” said Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen.
Once completed, the shopper can turn the Punch Card in for a chance to win $500 in Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Bucks. In addition to the grand prize, the committee is also giving out a prize each week. Shoppers who turn their Punch Cards in early get more chances to win.
Thanks to the Marathon’s generous partners, this service is provided to retail businesses at no cost.
Committee members include Swedlund, Andersen, Jessica Haak, Monica Hieb, Josh Vraa, Tim Perkins, Shirley Jackson, Erin Paulson, Kendra Krueger, Cassie Theurer, Pam Fosse and Katie Ryan-Anderson.
If your business wants to be included or have questions, please contact one of the committee members or call Buffalo City Tourism at 251-9145.