E.C. Biz Owners Think 'Every Saturday' Can Be Small Business Saturday
share a photo, use the hashtag and you could win $150 in Chamber eBucks through this new campaign
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
It started, as so many ideas do, with a handful of locals gathering at their favorite storefront. A conversation on the current climate of downtown Eau Claire quickly evolved into an effort to lift each other up and inspire others to invest back into the city we call home.
“Every Saturday,” a new social media campaign, aims to promote exactly that: Share a photo of yourself at a downtown business, use the hashtag #EverySaturdayEC and enter in the chance to win $150 in Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce eBucks.
“We all have our favorite local businesses, our favorite places to go for floss and snacks and auto repair and dinner and clothing,” Margaret Leonard, owner of Dotters Books (307 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) said. “We're hoping that by sharing some love on social media, people will find even more businesses to love.”
The new initiative, supported by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. (DECI) and Nicolet Bank, encourages locals to think beyond the traditional Small Business Saturday celebrated each November.
“Ask shop owners what their favorite things are. Who made this pan? What's the story behind this dress? We love our businesses and would love to share that joy with you.”
Savannah Smith, owner of Seven Suns Vintage (305 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire) created the Instagram account for this initiative – (@everysaturdayec) – which locals can collaborate with. Any user who tags the account or shares an Instagram story with the hashtag gets a chance to win one of three $150 Chamber eBucks gift cards.
The goal? See @everysaturdayec packed with shared enthusiasm and local business appreciation through the holidays.
Leonard noted that the initiative extends beyond downtown Eau Claire – it's to support any small business throughout the city. She said, “we see this as a necessary cultural shift in the way that we think about community and consumption.”
“This is a movement,” Leonard continued. “We want people to think of our small businesses for gifts and treats and all that fun stuff, but also for daily needs.”
In its initial weeks, the hashtag has featured a selection of local businesses across the city: The Coven, Riverflow Refillery, Lot 3 Mercantile, Planette Kids, The Joynt, Gyro King, Menomonie Market Food Co-op, Cornelia’s Home Market, among others.
Alongside shop owners Kersten Foster (Lot 3 Mercantile) and Jill Heinke Moen (Planette Kids), Leonard and Smith aspire to go beyond digital connections and instead encourage meaningful face-to-face dialogues on what it means to “support local.”
“Ask shop owners what their favorite things are,” the women shared. “Who made this pan? What's the story behind this dress? We love our businesses and would love to share that joy with you!”
If you are a small business owner who wants to be involved in the “Every Saturday” campaign, post your business or inventory highlights with the hashtag. The same is true on the customer side; the collaborative post feature on Instagram is highly encouraged.
For a business to participate in the prize drawing, owners can join the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and set up an account to accept eBucks. Existing DECI members automatically gain eligibility to accept these digital rewards.
Keep up with the “Every Saturday” campaign and giveaway – now through Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28 – on Instagram (@everysaturdayec).
