Headed by the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce, a new marketing effort is under way in the city to promote local small businesses in the wake of Black Friday madness.
Appropriately dubbed Small Business Saturday, the event is aimed at encouraging the community to see what local shopping has to offer on Saturday, Nov. 24. A national event sponsored for three years by American Express, this is the first year Lompoc will participate in the event.
“Small business is a huge part of any local economy,” said Ken Ostini, president and C.E.O. of the Lompoc chamber. “One-hundred percent of the money goes back into the community.”
Ostini said they’re trying to make people more aware of the small businesses present in the community. As of right now, 32 businesses have come together offering sales, give aways, and other incentives to boost business. Ostini said the businesses will also donate items to gift baskets that will be raffled off at the chamber the Monday after Thanksgiving.
The chamber and various merchants will distribute maps of participating businesses to shoppers, who can earn stamps at each store where they make a purchase, Ostini said. With five stamps, shoppers are eligible to win a gift basket from the chamber; stamps will be turned in at the last store where they shop.
Ostini also said American Express is providing the stores with 200 $25 gift cards. According to Ostini, Small Business Saturday is similar to the Cash Mob program that started in February. Lompoc Cash Mobs encourage shoppers to shop in large groups at a particular store and spend at least $10. Due to its success, the program continues each month.
“Business is tough,” Ostini said. “We want to give them exposure and help people realize the value of small business compared to big chain stores.”
This article appears in Nov 22-29, 2012.