Gigi Hart, Grants, Special Projects and CRA Coordinator for the City of Bunnell, announced to Historic City News today that resident Katherine Lopez is the lucky winner in the first “Buy Bunnell” campaign; an initiative of the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Larry’s Italian Deli donated a $40.00 gift certificate in response to the City’s request for local merchants to offer a prize to be given away to one lucky contestant. In exchange for their generosity, Larry’s Italian Deli was featured in the City’s monthly newsletter.
Lopez told reporters that she was very excited to receive her award because this Valentine’s Day is also her 30th wedding anniversary.
“Buy Bunnell is all about keeping people thinking local,” Hart said. “We want to show everybody that Bunnell is open for business.”
The purpose of the program, Hart told Historic City News, is to stimulate local spending and create awareness of the goods and services available to Bunnell residents and visitors.
“It is important to buy local,” Larry’s Italian Deli owner told Hart when asked why they decided to participate. “I have always had a soft spot for the small guy and we should try to keep it here.”
Historic City News editor Michael Gold said that Bunnell is to be commended; “St Augustine could learn a lesson from our smaller neighbor to the south.”
The “Buy Bunnell” program, an incentive plan that encourages local shopping, aims to promote local merchants. The promotional contests will all support locally-owned, independent businesses, thereby helping to fuel the local economy.
The next campaign will run from April 1-30 for a chance to win a Mother’s Day prize.
According to Hart, 86% of the participants were Bunnell residents. The business where participants shopped the most was Kangaroo Express; who will receive a “Preferred Business” certificate from the City Manager.
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