GALION — The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce a Second Saturday Shop Hop in Galion for the months of June, July, and August.
The Shop Hop is an opportunity for the Galion community to support local Galion area merchants and is sponsored by Donley Ford of Galion, Firelands Federal Credit Union, First Federal Bank of Ohio, and Park National Bank.
“As always, our goal is to promote the growth and success of our business community. We want the consumers to come out and enjoy the diverse shops and local merchants that Galion has to offer,” said Executive Director, Miranda Jones.
“During this time, when businesses have struggled and are now starting to re-open, we are hoping the Shop Hop will be a success for our community and our businesses.”
The event will kick off this Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with businesses, merchants, and other interested organizations to implement the Shop Hop as a replacement to Third Fridays In Galion.
“Our main goal is to get people back into our businesses, while maintaining a family friendly theme and encourage shoppers to support small, local businesses,” explained Jones. “Galion really has such interesting and unique shops, and this is a great opportunity to bring visibility to our business community.”
For many of the local stores, the real benefit for them is the recognition and awareness that comes from people seeing them re-open. People can make purchases of things like clothing, custom gifts, or antiques and make a day of it by having lunch or a beverage at one of our many food and beverage establishments.
“We will have custom made Shop Hop canvas bags to the first 150 people to stop by the Chamber tent near the square in Uptowne Galion,” Jones said. “Grab a bag, giveaway items from our sponsors and pick up our Galion Food & Beverage ‘Blitz Card’.”
The Food & Beverage “Blitz Card” is an additional incentive to stay local. When you purchase anything from one of the 14 Chamber member businesses listed on the card, show your card to the business to get it marked. Once you reach five marks, turn your card into the Chamber office for a chance to win a gift card to a business listed.
If a shopper gets 10 businesses marked, they will be entered into our Grand Prize drawing. Drawings we will be held the Tuesday following the monthly Shop Hops and the deadline to turn cards in for the Grand Prize drawing is Aug. 11. Cards will be available each month.
“We are excited to see how involved the businesses and community members become in these events,” she said. “We hope to see sidewalk sales and specials from our businesses and people throughout Galion shopping local and enjoying our area merchants.”
Second Saturday Shop Hop dates are June 13, July 11, and Aug. 8. If anyone is interested in more information or wish to become a Shop Hop sponsor, they can contact Miranda Jones at the Chamber office, 419-468-7737 or via email mjones@galion-crestlinechamber.org.
