Shop Small Pulaski Winner Announced!

This year has been a struggle for many, especially our vital small businesses. Each year Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce draws attention to Pulaski small businesses through Shop Small Pulaski, but this year they saw a need to do more.  They stepped up their efforts in response to the struggles of the citizens and small businesses alike.  Instead of a one day event, which coincided with the national American Express Shop Small Saturday, there was a month long event that included over 20 local businesses and a $1000 grand prize!

Shop Small Pulaski was a win/win for businesses and shoppers.   Participating businesses received promotion through radio, newspaper and social media, organized by the Chamber of Commerce. Shoppers had the chance to win a much needed $1000.00. Shoppers could earn entries as determined by each participating business; shopping online or purchasing specific items. Community supporters like 107 Country PSK also drew attention to Shop Small Pulaski by offering entry tickets for Toys for Tots donations. Curtis in the Morning told the Chamber of Commerce that this is their second season collecting toys and this year’s donations surpassed the previous year.

Shop Small Pulaski came to an exciting finale when the winner was drawn on the air with Curtis in the Morning and live on the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. Out of over 6000 entry tickets collected from local businesses, the winner was Shirley Goad of Dublin.  When she received the call that she was the grand prize winner of $1000.00, Shirley was skeptical to say the least.  Once she realized it was truly a no strings attached prize that she won just for supporting local businesses, she told Shannon Ainsley of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce “I have never won anything, and surely nothing this big”.  Shirley said her entry came from visits with friends to Tom’s Drive In.

Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce says the campaign was well received with both business owners and shoppers and they plan to do it again next year. Thank you to Pulaski County for sponsoring the grand prize and to the Town of Pulaski and Town of Dublin for their sponsorship of advertising and promotion for this event and to participating businesses: Bosslady Boutique, Autoshine Car Wash, The Blue Ridge Fudge Lady, Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, JD Tire, Main Street Grill,  Make –n- Waves, Martin’s Pharmacy, Mountain 2 Island, Next Level VR,  107 PSK, Pete Dye River Course, Pulaski On Main, Sal’s Jr., Sign Systems, Southern Harts Boutique, Tom’s Drive In, Twins Pizza, The Draper Village  (Curious Quill, The Village Coffee Shoppe, Draper Blooms Tea Garden), Rock House Marina and Thorn Spring Golf Course and Events.

Remember, you can shop local all year round!  By shopping local you are making an impact in surprising ways from supporting your neighbors and our community’s infrastructure to lessening the environmental impact from shipping goods.