Shop local initiative offered in Strathmore

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

For years, Calgary and other large centres have released coupon books to keep people shopping local and to serve as a fundraiser for local children’s charities and clubs and service clubs.
This year, Strathmore will be receiving their very own locally produced “book of bargains” as part of a shop local initiative.
Book of Bargains is the brainchild of Assist Business Centre, a locally-owned printing and business shop in Strathmore. They plan on selling the book yearly, and eventually spreading it out into other communities across southern Alberta.
“It’s hard for local businesses because people go to the bigger box stores, so we thought it would be a great idea to keep everybody shopping local. So instead of going to (Calgary) to buy something, there will be a coupon for (Strathmore) and people can stay and support the businesses in our town,” said Brooke Quinn, graphic designer with Assist.
The book will also be used as a fundraiser for children’s clubs and charities and service clubs within Strathmore.
The book is scheduled to be released in the middle of September this year. The Strathmore Scouts and the Air Cadets are scheduled to sell copies of the book, and Assist has been in contact with several schools.
The books will sell for $20 including GST. The organization selling the book receives $10 from each sale.
“We thought it would be a great way to also help with fundraising with the kids in town, it’s a great way to help the kids in the community,” said Quinn, who added that any group that is interested in selling Book of Bargains may contact Assist.
Currently, the book is still in the ad sales stage and they are hoping for 120 different businesses to purchase either a full or half page to advertise their business and offer customers a discount. Deadline to purchase an ad in the book is July 25.
For those who don’t want to carry around a book, the Book of Bargains will also be available in an app for both iOS and Android.
Generally, the coupons will be good until the end of August the following year, with a new Book of Bargains scheduled to be released every September.
Quinn said Assist Business Centre hopes to expand on the coupon books for other small towns such as Okotoks, Claresholm, Nanton and more.
“We’ve had lots of consumers interested so we’re hoping it goes good … I know everybody likes coupons,” said Quinn.
Online Book of Bargain sales will also still benefit the community. If a book is bought through the website, then $10 will be donated to a local charity within Strathmore, of Assist’s choosing.
For more information, visit the website at bookofbargains.ca. or call 403-983-2727.