Oakland County small businesses that hope to see green during the upcoming holiday shopping season could pocket a little green for themselves-$1,000-just for registering for Oakland County's Small Business Saturday to Saturday promotion.
Small Business Saturday to Saturday begins Nov. 25 the Saturday after Thanksgiving and runs until Dec. 2. It offers shoppers who make a purchase of any amount at any independently owned small business in Oakland County the chance to win $5,000, courtesy of North American Bancard; $2,000, courtesy of Bank of Ann Arbor; and a $500 voucher toward travel on Southwest Airlines, courtesy of Bishop International Airport in Flint.
"This is a win-win for both the small businesses and the customers," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "Customers have this singular opportunity to do some holiday shopping, support local businesses and get a chance at an incredible payday. Business owners get the boost of having additional holiday traffic in their stores and the chance to win $1,000, just for registering."
Shoppers must enter a picture of their receipt from a purchase made from Nov. 25-Dec. 2 at any small brick and mortar business in Oakland County to be eligible to win one of the prizes.
As an incentive to encourage small businesses to register and promote the contest to its customers, CEED Lending is offering a $1,000 American Express gift card to a randomly selected business and an additional $500 to the business employee who waits on the winning customer. There is no cost for a business to register.
Businesses may register online at www.AdvantageOakland.com/ShopSmall and are automatically entered into the $1,000 gift card drawing. Businesses will also be encouraged to remind shoppers not to forget small retailers for their holiday shopping. The program is patterned after the "Shop Small" campaign developed by American Express.
Free promotional materials are available to registered businesses at Oakland County's One Stop Shop Business Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Materials can be picked up Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Complete contest rules, eligibility and the date of the drawing are found at www.AdvantageOakland.com/ShopSmall.
Published: Thu, Nov 09, 2017
