• • Lakefield Standard

Though Thanksgiving is still two weeks away, Jackson merchants are already in the midst of a coordinated two-month-long shop-local holiday campaign designed to both benefit buyers and bolster business.

Organized and coordinated by the Create, Plan and Promote Committee, a division of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, the campaign is a unified and event-driven holiday shopping promotion, said Marilyn Reese, executive director of the chamber.

The campaign is highlighted by the enormously popular Holiday Cash program, which began Nov. 2. Holiday Cash is available for purchase from Bank Midwest, Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Alpha, Jackson Federal Savings and Loan and United Prairie Bank and is redeemable at participating chamber member businesses by Dec. 24.

Reese said 26 businesses are participating this year: AmericInn, Ashley’s Hallmark, Bob’s Fleet Supply, Bridget’s Bucksnort’s Brew Ha-Ha and Grill, Coast True Value Marine, Econo Lodge, Garden Steakhouse & Lounge, Heartland Image, Henning Rental, Historic State Theatre, Jackson Building Center, Kemna-Asa Auto Plaza, KKOJ/KRAQ Radio, Leach Decorating Center, Livewire Printing Co., Pillars Pub and Eatery, Pizza Ranch, Red Barn, Reggie’s Cinema Barista, Santee Crossing-Embers, Schwalbach Ace Hardware, Sievert’s Furniture and Floors, Strom’s Clothing, Sturdevant’s Auto Parts, Sunshine Foods, T-Care, Taco Depot, Thurmer’s Plumbing and Heating and Tri-County Implement.

Already in the books are the holiday open houses, which took place last week; in progress right now are a series of special shop-at-home messages and reminders in the Jackson County Pilot.

Coming up in the near future is the three-day after-Thanksgiving promotion, Nov. 27-29, during which many businesses will open at 7 a.m. with specials on Nov. 23 and remain open Nov. 24-25.

If the Holiday Cash program is the highlight of the campaign, then HolidayFest is the crown jewel. This year’s citywide Christmas celebration will take place Saturday, Dec. 5. The theme is “It’s a Disney Christmas.”

Customer Appreciation Days follow Dec. 10-13, with many businesses offering door prizes, food and in-store specials.

The “Shop Local Campaign” kicks off Dec. 14 and runs through Christmas Eve, reminding everyone of the wide-ranging benefits of shopping local and also that only two weeks remain before Christmas.

The two-month campaign wraps up with special after-Christmas sales Dec. 26-31.