Boosting Sales & Breaking Bread - A Unique Community Focused Initiative for Small Business Saturday

CHICAGO - Nov. 20, 2018 - PRLog -- Boosting Sales and Breaking Bread - A Unique Community Focused Initiative for Small Business Saturday…and Sunday

SECC Invites Small Business Saturday Shoppers to Celebration Sunday

Chicago, IL., November 20, 2018 -- Five South Side neighborhoods are taking a novel approach to shopping small and shopping local during this year's holiday shopping season. While Small Business Saturday encourages residents and neighbors to support local retailers, now there's a brand new benefit for doing so! On the following Sunday, November 25, Small Business Saturday shoppers are invited register their purchase for special prizes, a grand prize drawing and a complimentary breakfast at Valois Cafeteria (one of Barack Obama's favorite breakfast spots).

South East Chicago Commission's (SECC) goal is to help boost local economic development during the holiday season by encouraging the community to shop at neighborhood stores, dine at neighborhood restaurants, and enjoy arts and entertainment nearby. Customers who make purchases at participating businesses will receive either an entry to win a Microsoft Surface Pro, a free breakfast at Valois Cafeteria or both. On November 25th, customers will enjoy prizes, giveaways and freebies at the first ever Celebration Sunday appreciation event.

"Our Shop South Side Local event kicks off the holiday shopping season on Small Business Saturday. It's a dynamic way to bring exposure and boost sales for small businesses in Hyde Park, Oakland, Kenwood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn and it shines a positive light on the small businesses that are the economic engines for growth in our communities" said Diane Burnham, Executive Director of the SECC.

The SECC is unique because of its regional focus on economic development that connects and strengthens business corridors in five South Side neighborhoods. As one of the City of Chicago's Neighborhood Business Development Center's, the SECC engages small businesses throughout the year in preparation for big customer attraction events like Small Business Saturday.

This year's participating businesses include: Busted Bra Hyde Park, Silver Room, First Aid Comics, Modern Cooperative, Robust Coffee Lounge, Ariel Joseph Art Gallery, Evelyn's Food Love, Peach's at Currency Exchange Cafe, Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken Kitchen, Carver 47, Connect Gallery, Skidoe's Cafe & Grill, East Point Associates, LTD, Pearl Vision, Wesley Shoes, Pearl Vision, Faie Afrikan Art, Sprocket & Stone, Ms. Biscuit, Shop Small Cycle & Service, Keesh Convenience Store, GoLo Gas Station, Hyde Park Food & Liquors, Ink My Image, Red Apply Grocery, Keesh Beauty Bar, Shaun's Barber Shop, Union Sub, United Loan and Value Zoe Furniture.

The grand prize drawing will take place at noon on Sunday, November 25, 2018 during the "Celebration Sunday" event at Valois Cafeteria, 1518 E 53rd St. from 10am - 1pm.

SECC's Small Business, Shop Local program is funded by Bank of America and PNC Bank in collaboration with partners from Special Service Area #61 (Downtown Hyde Park), 51st Street Business Association, Quad Communities Development Corporation and Washington Park Chamber of Commerce.

About the South East Chicago Commission

The SECC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to facilitate and support economic development within the Southeast lakefront communities of Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, Washington Park and Woodlawn and to foster collaboration and coordination among businesses, organizations and institutions to promote job creation, community investment and economic vitality.

For more information, please call the SECC at 773-324-6926, visit http://www.secc-chicago.org

Media Contact:

PJ McGuire

Director of Public Relations, CEI Media Group

E-mail: pjmcguire@ceimediagroup.com