Nov. 25—The inaugural Shop Small Crawl kicked off Friday at 23 participating small businesses in Johnstown.
The three-week-long event features shopping deals, festive experiences and a chance to win $500 by visiting participating venues to collect buttons with each purchase.
The event will last through Dec. 16.
At Adorned Accessory & Gift Boutique, 1153 Franklin St., Johnstown, owner Jessica Martella said her first customer on Friday morning was a Shop Small Crawl contest participant.
"We are hoping this is very successful," she said. "We get a large turnout for Small Business Saturday, but it's important to support small businesses every day, so it just puts the idea in people's minds to shop small."
At Fosbrink's Four Seasons, 555 Goucher St., Upper Yoder Township, owner Josh Fosbrink has a greenhouse full of Christmas trees and a gift shop.
Fosbrink said the event will open people's eyes to places where they might not normally shop and discover the offerings those businesses have.
"There's been a lot of excitement building on social media for it," Fosbrink said. "I'm excited to be part of the small businesses in town. We have to stick together to help each other out."
The event is sponsored by Lofts on Upper Main owners Kim and Bill McKinney and coordinated by You in Flood City, a nonprofit organization that encourages hometown promotion.
Shop Small totes are available for purchase for $10 at Classic Elements, 345 Main St., downtown Johnstown, or The Write Cup, 134 Gazebo Park, downtown Johnstown.
To win the grand prize of $500, participants are asked to email their full name, a photo of the completed tote and tote number to youinfloodcity@gmail.com by Dec. 24.