RISON - Rison Shine Community Development, Inc., is kicking off a Shop Local Christmas Campaign beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4 with the Holiday Open House and Market on Main Street.
From 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Rison Pharmacy, My Berry Patch and Salon 7 will be open with door prizes, refreshments, store-wide discounts and more holiday fun.
“When you choose to shop local, you’re not just buying a gift, you’re making an investment in our community’s future,” said Kristy Strother, president of Rison Shine.
“Every dollar spent with a local business owner directly supports our schools, parks, highways and the unique character of our town.”
When purchases are made at these businesses, shoppers will receive a ticket to be entered in a drawing for $200 in gift certificates to local businesses, courtesy of Rison Shine.
The campaign will run through Thursday, Dec. 11 when an winner will be selected at the Pioneer Village at the conclusion of the Cleveland County Christmas Parade.
Additional businesses will be added to the campaign for the prize drawings in the coming days.
If your business in Rison is interested in participating, please contact Douglas Boultinghouse, secretary/treasurer for Rison Shine, at (870) 510-2433 or Stacy Walz at (870) 818-4883.
Rison Shine’s Vice President Keden Shrum said, “Supporting local businesses has a far greater impact than many realize. Not only do these businesses rely on customers to stay open, but the money spent also circulates within the community.”
“Local employees are paid, and tax dollars benefit the area as well. We’re incredibly grateful for every business owner and strive to support them whenever possible.”
In addition to the Open House on Nov. 4, Rison Shine will also host a Holiday Market in FBT Community Park on Main Street from 4 to 6 p.m.
Any home-based business or vendor is welcome to set up and sell products or promote their business.
“We’re excited to have local baker Kathy Halley as one of the vendors in the park,” said Boultinghouse. “Attendees can expect her delicious cakes, pies and more.”
Boultinghouse noted it is also the perfect opportunity to talk to Halley about custom orders for the holidays.
To promote the Nov. 4 event, Boultinghouse hosted a special episode of the Free Range Conversations podcast with a variety of guests.
Malinda Berry, owner of My Berry Patch, shared some of the items she will have during her open house including décor, gift items and toys for children.
Lynn Wilson, owner of Rison Pharmacy, gave a preview of some of the new items her staff has been stocking for the store. She also teased some of the food items they will sample on Nov. 4.
During the podcast, the guests also highlighted other activities coming up for the holiday season, including the Christmas in the Village Festival planned for Thursday, Dec. 4 and the Cleveland County Christmas Parade Thursday, Dec. 11.
More details are expected to be announced on these events next week.
A second Christmas Open House event is being planned for Thursday, Dec. 11 to encourage people to shop local in Rison leading up to the Christmas Parade that evening.
The podcast also gave opportunity for Boultinghouse, Walz and guest Austin Compton to share some exciting news.
The popular scavenger hunt the trio ran leading up to the Rison in the Fall Festival will continue in a Christmas variation.
Participants who find the hidden item each week during the shop local campaign will receive a gift card to a local restaurant in Rison.
“We had just as much fun hiding things and coming up with clues as the community did searching for them,” Boultinghouse said. “So this is our way to keep that fun going through Christmas and support our local restaurants.”
Listen to the full episode of the podcast to find out when the first clue will drop.
The full episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ClevelandCountyHerald.com