Shop Local Campaign Comes to Collingswood

Camden County shoppers are being encouraged to go spend $22 in Collingswood on Wednesday.

Shop Camden County is asking residents to head to Downtown Collingswood between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday as part of a town-wide shopping event.

There will be discounts and giveaways.

Shoppers can buy gifts, toys, produce, candy, jewelry, home goods, school supplies, clothing or enjoy a service or evening out – all available from Collingswood merchants.

“The Shop Camden County campaign has given folks a lot of insight about how their dollars can directly affect their community,” Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. said. “Make a point to buy a gift or pick up something you need on Oct. 22 and be part of a larger movement to support your local business owners and your town as a whole.”

The event will end with a reception at The Pop Shop Party Room where shoppers can enjoy food, refreshments, wine, giveaways, door prizes and a grand prize of $500 in Collingswood Cash.

Participants must bring receipts totaling $22 or more in Collingswood-purchased goods or services for admission and to be entered for prizes.

“Shopping locally promotes local job growth as local businesses are collectively the largest employers in the region,” Cappelli said. “It also saves time, money and the environment when consumers travel less, saving on time and fuel, provides products at competitive prices and creates community involvement with business owners that are involved in local events, charities and other community activities.”

“People don’t think that a few purchases made in town instead of elsewhere can have a big impact. It can,” said Collingswood Mayor James Maley. “Small businesses rely on dollars from locals. It supports a business owner directly, but shopping Collingswood first also helps strengthen our town. A lot more of local dollars spent goes back to your own community.”

The event is part of Camden County’s ongoing Buy Local/Shop Local campaign.

If each household in Camden County transitions just $10 per month of their out-of-county retail spending to in-county spending, the economic benefit to the county would be approximately $35 million per year, officials said.

In Collingswood that economic impact could reach $1.1 million. Camden County and Collingswood teamed up for a cash mob event in 2012 that brought hundreds of shoppers and thousands of dollars to Collingswood merchants.

The attached image is a Patch file photo.