MONTAGUE — Amid the economic depression created by the COVID-19 pandemic, RiverCulture recognizes that the holiday shopping season is a crucial chance to support local businesses.
For this reason, the partnership of leaders from the arts and business communities is campaigning for residents to support local businesses by providing a centralized online hub for local shopping. The goal is to make local businesses as accessible as large online retailers like Amazon, said RiverCulture Director Suzanne LoManto.
“They can do the same shopping, except do it through local businesses,” she said. “The more money we keep in Franklin County, the better.”
As part of the campaign, called “It Takes Five Villages,” businesses will be supported through turnersfallsriverculture.org, and through associated social media outlets. The online resources will list participating businesses, and will allow customers to buy and pay for items online.
The campaign is expected to go live on Nov. 24. Local businesses interested in participating can apply until Nov. 23, by 5 p.m.
Eligible businesses include retail stores, houseware vendors, restaurants, health and beauty services, artists, authors, publishers, musicians and others. The program is open to businesses in Montague, Gill, Erving, Wendell and Leverett.
Businesses that are interested in participating should email LoManto at riverculture@montague-ma.gov. Include the following information: your name, business name, business address, phone number and contact information, links to your business’ website or social media pages, a list of products or services you sell, whether you offer gift certificates and a square JPEG image to be used on the website. To be eligible, a business must have a system for selling online.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.