Shop local campaign being proposed

By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean Times Contributor

The Town of Strathmore is considering a new initiative geared to attracting more local shopping in town.
The Even More Strathmore campaign is an idea born from reaction to feedback from businesses that were impacted by construction of the new town hall.
Strathmore town Councillor Lorraine Bauer said it is a heartening response to difficulties some businesses are facing, but she said she was especially pleased the campaign would encompass all businesses and not focus solely on the downtown core.
Geoff Person, communications strategist with the town, delivered the presentation on Jan. 15 at council’s committee of the whole meeting.
“People and businesses in Strathmore want to support Strathmore. What a shop local campaign does, from an economic point of view, it provides a channel to direct that support,” Person said. “There’s no other town policy or program that can deliver the kind of impact to our local businesses that a shop local campaign does.”
Studies have shown there is a multiplier effect, Person said; dollars that are spent locally are further invested into the community. He also noted that shop local campaigns are proven to contribute to local economic growth, and they have the potential to create a long-term behaviour shift that encourages people to continue to shop locally.
Councillor Bob Sobol, who is also on the board of the Strathmore Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber had “nothing but praise” for the campaign.
There will be a contest attached to the campaign for residents sharing their shop local stories.
Bauer noted businesses don’t just offer local residents a place to shop but are also well-known for giving back to the community. Many businesses in Strathmore provide local clubs and groups with fundraising dollars or sponsorships, and a shop local campaign is one small way residents can support those same businesses.
Bauer said she was pleased the campaign would include all businesses in town and not focus solely on the downtown core.
“Small towns are about story-telling and sharing experiences,” she said. “Our businesses in Strathmore give back (generously) to the community.”
Person said the town was looking to implement the campaign as soon as possible and the first phase would run until the end of February.