Shop Local, Shop St. John
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
St. John the Baptist Parish - The St. John the Baptist Parish Economic Development Department is launching the annual Shop Local, Shop St. John campaign for the 2016 holiday season in an effort to promote locally-owned and operated businesses. Shop Local works to educate consumers, business owners and the St. John Community through media outlets about the many benefits of spending locally. Residents are encouraged to make their holiday purchases in St. John. Businesses can register to be a part of the campaign at www.sjbparish.com/shoplocal. There is no cost for membership.
In support of this effort, residents will receive a Shop Local trivia game in the mail with clues to local businesses. If the correct answers are selected and returned, residents will be entered in a drawing to win gift cards and other prizes from local retailers. The trivia game will take place through December 28, 2016 and winners will be announced on December 29th. Residents can mail in completed trivia games to 1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace 70068, or drop them off in the Shop Local collection boxes located at the Percy Hebert Building - Parish President’s Reception Desk (1801 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace) or in the St. John Courthouse foyer (2393 Highway 18, Edgard).
Residents are also encouraged to write their favorite place to shop on blue paper hearts found at businesses across the Parish and email a photo holding the heart to communications@stjohn-la.gov for a chance to be featured on the St. John website or Facebook page in November and December.
Small Business Saturday will be held this year on November 26 and community members are encouraged to make their holiday purchases in St. John. Small Business Saturday signage will be displayed throughout the Parish as a reminder. Please visit the stjohneconomicdevelopment.com for an online, searchable directory of local businesses, as well as a wealth of information on the economic, environmental and “feel-good” benefits of buying local.
“We are asking residents to remember that for every $100 spent in St. John, $68 stays in the Parish,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom. “Please shop locally this holiday season and support the local owners and employees who are an integral part of what makes St. John a great place to live.”
The Shop Local Shop St. John campaign was launched in December 2012 by the St. John the Baptist Parish Economic Development Department and Economic Development Council (EDC) with input from St. John businesses and merchants. The Shop Local Shop St. John mission is to support locally owned, independent businesses in St. John Parish, to maintain our unique community character, provide continuing opportunities for entrepreneurs, and build community economic strength.
Our three focus areas are:
- Informing citizens of the values provided by community-based businesses and their importance to the local economy, culture and social fabric.
- Group branding, promotion and advertising to elevate the collective profile of our community-based businesses and bring to them some of the advantages chains enjoy.
- Creating strong relationships with local government and the media to inform local decision-making and give a voice to the locally owned independent business community.