Shop Local Day aims to bring community to Holyoke businesses March 10

Three Holyoke High School students whose American Enterprise project placed fifth in the nation last year for the Future Business Leaders of America want to expand their concept from the realm of ideas and education, and onto the sidewalks and streets. Where the former project by Hannah Lindholm, and Fatima and Jimena Nuñez was designed to inform residents on shopping locally through presentations, surveys, posters, stickers and small items, their new endeavor seeks to bring people out for an actual day of shopping the afternoon of Friday, March 10.

Shop Local Day, Jimena told Holyoke City Council at its Feb. 21 meeting, will somewhat “mimic” the city’s Country Christmas event. Stores are set to offer promotions and special sales to draw in customers. These interactions, the three believe, will encourage residents to patronize businesses more often in town. By unanimous vote, the city council agreed to donate $500 to the students to fund advertising, fliers and a free meal outside the Phillips County Courthouse for those who arrive that day. The meal is set to begin at noon, with hotdogs and hamburgers.

“We’ve gotten in contact with the [Holyoke] Chamber of Commerce and a whole bunch of businesses are going to work with us,” Lindholm said. “We’re hoping people will come out.”

Lori Nelson, the high school’s business teacher and FBLA advisor, remembers the difficulties she experienced as former owner of Computers Etc in Holyoke. Often, she said, residents would leave Holyoke to shop in a larger town, rather than see what local businesses had to offer. With that in mind, she suggested to Lindholm, Fatima and Jimena the previous school year that they investigate promoting Holyoke-area entrepreneurs.

Using data compiled from multiple studies across the United States, the American Independent Business Alliance states that dollars spent within locally owned and independent businesses recirculate through a local economy two to four times the amount of those spent in a chain store or retail giant. With more money, businesses can create jobs, offer new products, strengthen the economy and – as noted by Fatima – grow. Lindholm added her group hopes to gain customers for recent businesses, spotlighting Hometown Event Dresses and My Country Cupboards.

“Especially in a small town,” Jimena said, “it’s better to get at least some than none.”

When the three students formed the American Enterprise project, Nelson said, they needed a significant amount of help. This project, by contrast, has required “very little” assistance from Nelson, freeing up more time for her to aid in other FBLA ventures.

“I love the fact that they’re flying on their own,” she said. “They definitely learned over the last couple years to speak in front of groups and not be so shy… That has made a huge impact.”

Also new to the three students’ repertoire, she added, were skills in advertising and website development.

Moving forward, the three students intend to continue their American Enterprise project into this year, in addition to Shop Local Day. Jimena – a senior – is set to graduate this May, followed by Lindholm in 2024 and Fatima in 2025. When they leave high school, the three hope someone picks up the mantle of small businesses in their stead.