The Cook County Chamber of Commerce and the Cook County Community YMCA are joining forces to sponsor “Shop Local Saturday” on Nov. 30, which is the Saturday following Thanksgiving and the day after big-box retailers’ Black Friday event.
“This idea came up late, so we need to put together a simple, effective program as quickly as we can,” said Jim Boyd, interim executive director of the county chamber. “It is a terrific idea, to remind everyone of the great benefits to our community when we make the effort to purchase from local merchants. We hope to make a splash this year and start something we can build on in years to come.”
Emily Marshall, director of the still-under-construction YMCA, is organizing a “drop and shop” childcare program at the Cook County school building in Grand Marais, Boyd said. Parents will be able to drop off their children at 10 a.m. and pick them up at 2 p.m. Marshall and her staff will organize activities for the children and feed them lunch. Cost for the childcare is $5 per child or a maximum of $15 per family.
Parents need to make child-care arrangements prior to Shop Local Saturday so Marshall can arrange appropriate staffing and food. To make a dropand shop reservation, parents can call 218-722-4745 ext. 183. An online reservation link is coming soon and will be publicized.
Joining Marshall and Boyd in organizing Shop Local Saturday are Beth Kennedy of Beth’s Fudge and Birchbark Gifts, Dan Kennedy of Beth’s Fudge, Jill Terrill of The Garage, Jackie Larson of White Pine North and Jan Sivertson of Sivertson Gallery.
Retailers who wish to participate fully in the event should contact Boyd at ccchamber@boreal.org, call 218-370-9665 or contact any member of the organizing committee, Boyd said. Packets of material are being prepared that include posters retailers can display and other materials to make the day a success. An effort will be made to contact every retailer in the county very soon to maximize participation.
It is important, Boyd said, that retailers make every effort to offer shoppers the best possible holiday deals on Shop Local Saturday. “People need to see that taking part in this program not only is the right thing to do for the local economy,” he said, “but is the smart way to make holiday dollars go further.”
“We are a small, rural, remote community,” Boyd said. “Of course people are going to shop on Amazon and other online stores, or in Duluth and the Twin Cities. But many things can be purchased just as easily and cheaply here as anywhere, especially when the cost of gas is factored in. Plus, county residents can find things here that they won’t find elsewhere, things that make truly unique North Shore gifts.
“Besides, shopping locally keeps local dollars in local pockets, creates local jobs, supports local families and truly nurtures our community. Each year, Cook County businesses contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to local charities and nonprofits. Business owners are being approached every day for contributions to this or that worthy cause, and they dig deep to help. Each person who purchases something in a local shop is helping ensure that when those businesses dig deep, they will find something they can contribute to organizations such as Empty Bowls, WTIP, North House, Higher Ed, the Playhouse and all the other fine groups that enrich our life here on the North Shore.”
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