If you’re venturing out on the town this month, you might want to grab your passport — your Needham Holiday Raffle passport, that is. The promotion is a collaboration of 26 Needham businesses and restaurants, all of which contributed a prize valued at $50 or more for the raffle.
Launched on Small Business Saturday to promote shopping locally, the raffle will last through December and culminate with a prize drawing in January.
The promotional event was started during the pandemic, when many retail stores and restaurants were forced to get creative to stay afloat. This year, TiN RABBiT owner Hilary Chandler and Proud Mary owner Eileen Baker teamed up to revive the initiative.
“The whole point is for holiday shopping,” said Baker. “It’s a good way for the community to unite and get together, for stores to unite. It’s cross promotion, it’s not competition. We want everyone to succeed.”
Shoppers can pick up a passport at participating locations and get it punched at any business where they spend $35 or more. Every business has its own custom punch design to designate where people have shopped. Passports with three different punches will have one entry, and those with six different punches will receive three entries into the raffle. Shoppers can enter as many times as they wish as long as the punches come from different businesses.
Baker said the idea is to get people to learn about and try new places in town. “I think at the very least it inspires [people] to check out other businesses,” she said. “These businesses could be thriving so much more; it’s just a matter of remembering they’re here. It’s a little push for small businesses.”
Chandler said there will also be a few extra prizes thrown in, including a ride to school in a police car with — or without — police dog Officer Rocket. Those interested in that particular prize will need to indicate that on their passport before handing it in.
The two women said the program is off to a great start, and they are already thinking of doing a similar promotion in the spring. There were several businesses that missed the chance to participate but said they hope to next time around.
“Hopefully we can just keep building on it,” said Baker. “And maybe one day we’ll get our holiday stroll.”
Passports must be returned to TiN RABBiT, Barre3 or Michelson’s by Dec. 31. Winners will be notified Jan. 6.
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