Shopping to support small businesses

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- Black Friday may be over, but small business owners want you to keep the shopping spirit going on Small Business Saturday, a chance to support your local shops.

Chris Eccles of Bozrah worked at Ace Hardware as a kid, and as an adult he makes it a point to support it.

"That's why I"m here instead of the big box store which is two minutes up the street," he said.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce is trying to encourage shopping local for the holidays with a new campaign. 30 area businesses are offering deals through the end of the month.

"It's been great for us and we're glad to have local people around come in and visit our store," said Ted Jadczak of Ace Hardware.

Accent Kitchens & Baths is taking 30 percent off anything in its showroom.

"I think it's all about coming together especially the economy the way it is now," Amy Lewis of Accent said.

As an added incentive the Chamber of Commerce is also offering up to a thousand dollars in cash prizes if you buy from these local merchants. Here's how it works -- every time you buy something you get one of these verification cards and the more cards you get the more of a chance you have to win.

Those cards are dropped off at the chamber's office in downtown Norwich for the December drawing.

"Extra thousand dollars just for making a normal purchase I could definitely see myself coming back two or three times to put myself in for it," Eccles said. "Especially if not a ton of people know about it."

The campaign may get folks in the door but Amy Lewis says it's the personal service which keeps them coming back. "Right away you've got friendly people coming up talking to you, sit down. We'll spend three hours going over your kitchen your bath whatever you need."

This push to buy local goes beyond Eastern Connecticut. The Small Business Administration is promoting Small Business Saturday Nov. 24.