Gift Basket Business Blog

Community Efforts Build Business

February 24th, 2007 at 07:45pm Lorie Obernauer

The Chopping Block, a specialty food store in Chicago, Illinois, recently received Gourmet News’ Retail Leadership Award. This award recognizes retail specialty food businesses that have distinguished themselves in their communities.

Read the full story about Shelley Young, owner of two Chopping Block stores. Not content to wait for customers to come to her, Shelley has come up with quite a few creative ways to lure customers to her stores.

Of special interest to me is Shelley’s involvement with her local chamber of commerce. Over the Christmas holidays, she worked with other retailers in her neighborhood to bring lots of traffic to the businesses in her area. Free gift wrap stations, ethnic holiday festivals, and a senior shopping day are some of the great ideas that kept customers coming to her store and other stores in the neighborhood.

If you’re not already involved with your local chamber of commerce, make it a point to join in 2007. Clusters of businesses in a small neighborhood can join together for projects that will benefit the whole community while bringing more business to the area.

Entry Filed under: Business Tips