Eau Claire small business owners have launched a social media campaign called Every Saturday, encouraging residents to treat every Saturday like Small Business Saturday.
Shoppers who share a photo at a local business on Instagram and use the hashtag #EverySaturdayEC can enter to win one of three $150 Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce eBucks gift cards. The campaign runs through Small Business Saturday on Nov. 28.
The effort grew out of a conversation among local owners about downtown Eau Claire. Margaret Leonard, owner of Dotters Books, said the hope is that sharing local favorites on social media helps people discover more businesses to support.
Savannah Smith, owner of Seven Suns Vintage, created the campaign's Instagram account, @everysaturdayec. Downtown Eau Claire Inc. and Nicolet Bank are supporting the initiative.
Organizers said the campaign is not limited to downtown. Early posts have featured businesses across the city, and owners said they want shopping local to become part of daily routines, not only holiday gift buying.
