St. Joseph Today offering prizes for shopping local

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. -- Non-profit St. Joseph Today is hoping to keep the doors open for every business in Southwest Michigan.

“To spread the love for community businesses and restaurants, it’s a great way to support the community during this time and it’s important to shop local year-round,” said Daniele Crevier, Events and Operations Manager at St. Joseph Today.

As these businesses go through the typical, slow winter season - but without the boost they normally get from summer revenue - due to spending much of that time closed.

Now, all you have to do is spend $25 at any of St. Joe Today’s restaurants or retail partners and there will be prizes in it for you.

“You can turn in those receipts to the welcome center here in downtown St. Joe for an entry form for various restaurant gift certificates, retail shopping,” said Crevier.

For the business owners, the partnership gives them a helping hand in surviving the winter.

“They have our back in trying to drive business to our community and creating great contests like the Countdown to Summer, we’re always looking forward to the summer and then maybe having a little more grip with the pandemic,” said Kellye Wilson, owner of Perennial Accents.

But ultimately, it’s the customers’ business that keeps their lights on.

“Our community has gotten us through this, it’s the least we can do is give back to them,” said Kim Lerke, manager at Caffe Tosi. “I feel like everyone wants to come out and support local down here because they’ve had a really hard time.”

St. Joe Today is also offering opportunities where shopping local could get you double the number of prizes during their Magical Ice Fest from Feb. 5 – 7.

For a full list of participating businesses, click here.