They’re vocal about shopping local
by STAFF REPORT
Posted:02/17/10

Highlands (Monmouth County, NJ) - Locals "shopping local" and visitors will enjoy many discounts at retailers and restaurants all across our diverse borough, the Highlands Business Partnership has announced.

Ellie Carrano will be one of the first to attest to it. A Highlands resident, Ms Carrano was the lucky winner whose name was drawn from the January entry boxes of the Highlands Shop Local campaign earlier this month.

Each month, one lucky winner receives $100 HBP Biz Cash from the Highlands Business Partnership to be spent at participating "SHOP LOCAL" establishments. As soon as Ellie received the call, she made plans to use her biz cash for a visit to Transcendence Spa.

Don't miss your opportunity to be the next winner. The February
winner will be drawn on March 1,and then every month thereafter.

The Highlands "Shop Local" is an awareness campaign highlighting the uniqueness of our small town, HBP President Carla Cefalo-Braswell said, re-introducing Highlands to locals, and inviting visitors to experience a historic destination. "Year round,
participating retailers, restaurants, bars, and other service providers will display a "Highlands Shop Local" poster and offer you, the consumer, the opportunity to win a $100 shopping certificate, " the president said. "Pick up a Highlands "Shop Local" card at any business displaying the Shop Local poster and after five stamps, drop your card to be eligible to win a monthly drawing for a $100 certificate. The drawing will be held the 1st of each month for the previous months entries," she said.

"You could say I'm very vocal about shopping local! I urge all residents see what Highlands has to offer. Our unique shops and restaurant owners are friendly and always make you feel welcome.

"It's a proven fact that dollars spent locally, stay in the community," said Mayor Anna Little, "What better way to benefit the borough? After all, local shopping initiatives are among the most effective ways to promote and sustain our local economy. Downtown Highlands has unique shops ranging from boutiques and local favorites, to Zagat rated restaurants."

According Jay Cosgrove, vice president of the Partnership, a non-profit organization, and owner of Bahrs Restaurant, the longest standing family business in Highlands, "supporting local shops says that you care about the unique charm that small and family businesses represent. A thriving business creates more jobs and contributes tax revenue, all of which proves that local businesses fuel the economy."

"Every time someone shops locally, it helps the neighborhood flourish," said Nancy Burton, local resident and an HBP Board member. "We need the locals to help our business community grow". Nancy is owner of In the Garden Flowers and Plants, a local retailer.

"We urge resident and visitor alike to visit downtown Highlands and pick up your "Shop Local" card today," Ms Braswell said.

For more information or a list of participating merchants, please visit highlandsnj.com or call 732-291-4713.


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