Chamber promoting second-Saturday hops in June, July, August

GALION — The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is promoting a Second Saturday Shop Hop in Galion in June, July and August. The Shop Hop offers an opportunity for the Galion community to support Galion-area merchants. It is sponsored by Donley Ford of Galion, Firelands Federal Credit Union, First Federal Bank of Ohio and Park National Bank.

“As always, our goal is to promote the growth and success of our business community. We want consumers to come out and enjoy the diverse shops and local merchants that Galion has to offer,” said chamber executive director Miranda Jones. “During this time, when businesses have struggled and are now starting to re-open, we are hoping the Shop Hop will be a success for our community and our businesses.”

The event will kick off this Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with businesses, merchants and other interested organizations to implement the Shop Hop as a replacement to Third Fridays In Galion.

“Our main goal is to get people back into our businesses, while maintaining a family-friendly theme and encourage shoppers to support small, local businesses,” explained Jones. “Galion really has such interesting and unique shops, and this is a great opportunity to bring visibility to our business community.”

For many of local stores, the real benefit for them is the recognition and awareness that comes from people seeing them re-open. People can make purchases of things like clothing, custom gifts or antiques and make a day of it by having lunch or a beverage at one of our many food and beverage establishments.

“We will give custom made Shop Hop canvas bags to the first 150 people to stop by the Chamber tent near the square in Uptowne Galion,” Jones said. “Grab a bag and giveaway items from our sponsors and pick up our Galion Food & Beverage ‘Blitz Card’.”

The “Blitz Card” is an additional incentive to stay local. When you purchase anything from one of the 14 Chamber member businesses listed on the card, show your card at the business to get it marked. Once you reach five marks, turn your card into the chamber office for a chance to win a gift card to a business listed.

If a shopper gets 10 businesses marked, they will be entered into our grand prize drawing. Drawings will be the Tuesday following the monthly Shop Hops and the deadline to turn cards in for the grand prize drawing is Aug. 11. Cards will be available each month.

“We are excited to see how involved the businesses and community members become in these events,” Jones said. “We hope to see sidewalk sales and specials from our businesses and people throughout Galion shopping local and enjoying our area merchants.”

Second Saturday Shop Hop dates are June 13, July 11 and Aug. 8. If anyone is interested in more information or wishes to become a Shop Hop sponsor, call Miranda Jones at the Chamber office at 419-468-7737 or email [email protected].