The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the holidays and encouraging residents to shop local on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Shop Small Saturday was initially promoted by American Express in 2010, encouraging holiday shoppers to patronize small, local brick and mortar businesses. Soon, local communities caught on and began promoting the event nationwide.

Chamber Executive Director Heidi Scrivo Passmore said individuals will not only be helping out small businesses by shopping small on Nov. 28, they will also have a chance to win a Chamber gift certificate if they purchase something from two of the businesses listed on their Facebook page.

The paper for this event can either be printed out from the Facebook page or picked up at one of the retailers. When one visits one of the listed businesses and makes a purchase, the business will put a sticker on the paper. Once an individual has two stickers, they can put it in the mail slot at the Chamber building or drop it off the following Monday or Tuesday for a chance to win one of three gift certificates; one $50 gift certificate and two $25 gift certificates.

Winners will be contacted via phone and announced on Facebook on Dec. 2.

“We really want to encourage people to shop local,” said Passmore. “This is something we can do to encourage people to do a little shopping, grab some lunch and support local businesses.”

Chamber gift certificates are also available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or by appointment. They can currently be purchased in amounts of $5, $10, $25 and $50 and a $20 option will soon be available.

“If you have a large order, call us ahead so we can have it ready,” said Passmore.

In 2019, the Chamber sold $86,000 worth of Chamber gift certificates.

“Just goes to show how much those gift certificates keep the money in our community,” said Passmore in conclusion.