The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce 2023 edition of the Love Our Locals $20.23, is underway and will run through the remainder of the year. The campaign will highlight local businesses and non-profit organizations throughout Saratoga County.
Beginning in November, it continues through Sunday, Dec. 31. When residents and tourists support any business or non-profit in Saratoga County by spending or donating $20.23 or more, they will be eligible to enter a gift card giveaway.
Individuals are encouraged to submit their receipt of $20.23 or more online at www.saratoga.org/love-our-locals to enter. Each week, the Chamber will randomly select winners for $100 in gift cards to businesses across the county. Love Our Locals $20.23 is generously sponsored by MVP Health Care, Hoffman Car Wash and area businesses that donate gift cards. In addition to the chance to win gift cards, each person who submits a receipt will receive a voucher for one free car wash at a participating Hoffman Car Wash location (limited to one per person).
This campaign originated during the pandemic as Save Our Locals $20.21, which resulted in more than 2,000 entries from locals whose purchases directly aided in the county’s economic rebound from COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2022, the Save Our Locals program was recognized with a New York State Tourism Excellence Award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association.
Last year, the campaign was renamed Love Our Locals $20.22, and it remained a popular and purposeful initiative.
“This campaign played a crucial role in helping to boost the county’s economic recovery during and after the pandemic, and this year we hope it will continue to invigorate the small business community and help encourage folks to shop and support local,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus said. “As 2023 comes to a close, we encourage area residents to keep showing love to our local businesses and non-profit organizations that make our region so special.”
While the campaign takes place during the holiday shopping season, it is designed to support a wide variety of businesses and organizations from the retail, dining, service, entertainment and non-profit sectors. Eligible purchases can include hair care, car repairs, home improvement projects, dry cleaning, hotel stays, dining at restaurants, concert tickets, snow removal, fitness club memberships, eyeglasses, flowers, toys and holiday decorations. Donations made to area charitable organizations are also eligible for entry.
“Thank you for thinking local,” Shimkus said. “Your support truly matters, and together we can make a difference in the sustainability and longevity of our local businesses and non-profits.”
Gift card donors to date include Active Ingredient Brewing Company, Bellatas Medical Aesthetics, Coffee Planet, Common Roots Brewing Company, Curtis Lumber, Dancing Grain Farm Brewery, The Dark Horse Mercantile & Impressions of Saratoga, Eddie F’s New England Seafood Restaurant in Saratoga and Clifton Park, The Flats Restaurant & Tavern, Samantha Nass Floral Design, Silverado Saratoga, Susan Blackburn Photography, Taverna Novo, The Saratoga Day Spa and Unified Beerworks.
More information on Love Our Locals $20.23 is available at www.saratoga.org/love-our-locals.
Businesses that would like to donate gift cards and be featured in this campaign are invited to email loveourlocals@saratoga.org for more information.