The Town of Newmarket is encouraging you to choose local with a marketing campaign aimed at helping businesses as the province begins to reopen.
The campaign has relaunched with a social media contest to get you back into retail stores and restaurants. In partnership with the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce, the campaign features a local business directory and invites you to post photographs to enter the contest offering hundreds of dollars in prizes.
Mayor John Taylor said even as things return back to normal under the province’s pandemic reopening plan, local businesses still need support.
“These restaurants have been in and out of lockdown for a year and a half,” Taylor said. “It’s going to take more than one week for them to build back.”
The campaign invites you to take a photo showcasing how you are supporting a local business and to post it on Instagram or Twitter. Prizes include a $900 Market Brewing Company Prize pack, one of three $500 shopping sprees or a $250 gift card to My Lil Gems.
A similar contest was held for the 2020 Christmas shopping season.
“It can go very far,” Taylor said. “If everybody really decides to dig in and make a strong effort, it can make a big difference.”
Newmarket Chamber of Commerce president Tracy Walter said the organization is thrilled to be partnering for the campaign.
“Businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic,” Walter said. “We encourage everyone to get out there to shop, dine and choose local.”
Taylor said recovery has to be a priority for every level of government throughout 2021. He said Newmarket does not have the resources of other levels of government but is trying to do its part through efforts like its patio program and offering a waste and wastewater rebate to small businesses.
“It’s not over yet,” Taylor said. “There’s a lot of recovery to go.”
The contest runs until July 26. You can enter by tagging the Town of Newmarket and Chamber of Commerce with your photos, or by emailing [email protected]. Full details are available here.
“If everybody makes even five or 10 per cent of the purchases as they did before local, it will have a significant impact on our small business community, and they need us now,” Taylor said.
