Local Businesses Get Creative to Attract Holiday Shoppers

Local businesses are coming up with different holiday-themed ways to attract consumers to shop locally this holiday season.

Lorice Fiala, president of the Patchogue is hoping their holiday raffle will encourage shoppers to use chamber members' businesses.

"Beginning the day after Thanksgiving up until the day before Christmas, when shopping or dining in chamber businesses and restaurants patrons will be able to enter a raffle for a chance to win $500," Fiala said.

Toys for children in need are being collected in several local businesses, such as . Toys can also be brought to the , the Chamber of Commerce office as well as to the Chamber's  on Saturday, December 4 at 9 a.m. at South Ocean Middle School.

The chamber will also be promoting several Christmas shows at the and at . "We're bringing people to Patchogue for all different things," said Gail Hoag, executive director of the Patchogue Chamber said.

Hoag also mentioned that will be having special sales for the holiday season.

Kathryn Cregg, owner of Quench Wine and Spirits said, "We do a lot tastings throughout the season, more than normal." On Monday, customers that brought donations for a local food pantry received a discount. Cregg also said the store will sell personalized gift boxes with Christmas ornaments and decorations for the holidays.

Michael Gorton, president of the cited that the foremost thing the Medford Chamber is trying to accomplish this holiday season is encouraging people to shop locally in Medford.

"It's very easy to go outside of Medford. While it might be a little more expensive to shop here, 68 percent of every dollar spent within the community is returned to the community," Gorton said. He stressed that the main objective is to keep the "mom and pop shops" alive, which he called, "the heartbeat of the town."

Paige Tarver, owner of Medford Florist & Boutique said, "We're trying to promote less expensive bouquets and encourage quality instead of just going to the food store [to purchase flowers]."

Tarver takes a lot of care in creating artistic window displays to attract walk-ins. "Everything we can do to make ourselves better; that's what we do," Tarver said.