By By Adam Prestridge
Over the past two months, the Advance has taken a stance on shopping locally with a series of ads explaining the importance of spending money in town.
We at the Advance felt it our duty to urge our readers to shop at local merchants during these uncertain economic times to ensure that once our country is out of this recession, and trust me we will be, those businesses will still be open and ready to continue to serve Atmore.
With that in mind, the Advance, along with many of its sister publications, are encouraging their local residents to open their wallets and spend $20 on May 20 at local businesses. We have teamed up with several Atmore businesses that will be running advertising on May 17 and May 20 promoting products for $20 in hopes of encouraging everyone to spend at least $20 locally.
With more than 8,000 people living in Atmore, if everyone spent $20, that would mean $160,000 would be generated locally. I can’t imagine what that could do to the economy when it begins circulating to other businesses in town.
Many people take for granted the advantages of shopping locally. Tax dollars generated in town aid in police and fire protection and public works projects and clean streets and Escambia County schools benefit from sales tax revenue.
Shopping locally is also an advantage because the business owners and managers treat you like family and give you great customer service and added incentives such as free gift wrapping when you shop their stores. Not to mention you save gas money not having to travel out of town.
And if you want to buy a subscription to The Atmore Advance that day, we’re offering a six-month subscription for $20 — that’s a $8 discount on the regular price.
As I’ve said before, imitation is the highest form of flattery, so I will admit this idea was not one myself or any of my colleagues came up with. We were inspired by a fellow newspaper, The Aiken Standard in South Carolina, which launched a similar project last month. It was so successful there that the newspaper hopes to hold “$20 on the 20th” events every month. We hope to do the same in Atmore.
If you are a business owner that would like to participate in this worthwhile project, call Michelle Smith at 368-2123. We would be grateful to have you on board.
And remember, $20 spent in Atmore can go a long way for the betterment of our town.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.