Okmulgee Main Street encourages all to shop local, shop small
PATRICK FORD
NEWS EDITOR
The holiday season officially kicks off in about a week, as local businesses get ready for shoppers looking for the perfect gift this year.
Okmulgee Main Street is encouraging residents to support local businesses, especially next Saturday.
— Shop Small Saturday & Kickoff Event Small Business Saturday is Nov. 25, according to Director Heather Sumner. Founded by American Express in 2010, this nationwide movement helps bring attention to the importance of supporting small businesses in communities across America.
“This is our seventh year to participate as a Neighborhood Champion and we are encouraging everyone to join us in this event,” she said.
The kickoff for the event will once again be at Miss Mary’s Market, 114 W. 8th Street, from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Nov. 25.
According to Sumner, when you attend the kick-off breakfast at Miss Mary’s Market and make a purchase (breakfast burritos, biscuits & gravy, pastries & more), you will receive a free swag bag, while supplies last.
“Make sure to stop by our local small businesses (a list of Main Street partners will be provided in the swag bag), shop and enter to win door prizes or take advantage of their discounts,” Sumner said.
— Cookie Crawl
“We are also partnering with the Okmulgee Times on the 3rd Annual Cookie Crawl,” Sumner said.
Participating businesses will be announced in the Friday, Nov. 24 edition of the Okmulgee Times. Next, customers can stop by the Okmulgee Times office at 320 W. 6th St. on Saturday morning, Nov. 25, to get their free official “Cookie Crawl” box.
Then, shop to your heart’s content – stop by each business location on the list to collect a cookie (one cookie per participant), Katina Holland of the Times said. “By the end of your shopping day, you will have a box full of unique cookies, and will have met some of our amazing business owners along the way.”
— Sparkle Shopping Spree
As you are doing your shopping, be sure to get your tickets for Okmulgee Main Street’s 2023 Sparkle Shopping Spree. Starting Black Friday (Nov. 24), customers can collect tickets from participating businesses while shopping small and local this holiday season, and earn chances to win some holiday cash, Sumner said.
The 2023 Sparkle Shopping Spree will continue until the drawings on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. on the north side of Council House Square.
Shoppers will get one ticket for every $10 they spend in participating stores, according to Sumner. However, the amount that must be spent for a customer to receive could be different for each business, so be sure to check while you’re shopping – some may be less than $10.
The more you spend, the better your chance of winning will be, Sumner said. Double ticket days are every Friday and Saturday, starting Nov. 24.
On Dec. 14, there will be the drawing for the grand prize of $500 cash. Before the winner is drawn for $500, attendees with tickets will have a chance to win anywhere between $50 and $300 (Main Street Bucks). There will be in-house drawings on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, for $250 each in Main Street Bucks, which can be spent just like cash at the participating businesses.
At the grand prize drawing, you must be in attendance to win the $500 cash or the other prizes which will be Main Street Bucks.
A total of $2,000 will be given away during the entire Sparkle Shopping Spree. For more information or to participate, contact Okmulgee Main Street at 918-758-1015.
A list of merchants will be announced soon.
— Sparkle Spree FYI
Double Ticket Days: Nov. 24-25; Dec. 1-2, 8-9 Drawings will be held Dec. 1 and 8 for $250 Main Street Bucks (you do not have to be present to win).
Grand Prize Drawing will be held Dec. 14 (you must be present to win): 2-$50, 2-$100, 2-$200, 1-$300 (Main Street Bucks); 1-$500 (Cash).
