Staff writer
Peabody Main Street Association and community merchants will host the annual holiday shopping spree again this year.
“The promotion begins Friday,” said Peabody Main Street Director Shane Marler. “People shopping in Peabody need to remember to have their tickets punched or stamped every time they spend $10 with a participating merchant.”
Each ticket has a spot for five $10 punches or stamps, each of which must be from different businesses. When the ticket shows that five merchants have used their stamp or punch, the ticket holder signs the back of the ticket and deposits it in a designated gift box belonging to the participating merchant.
“The used tickets help us track the dollar amount spent in Peabody for the holiday season,” Marler said. “In 2011, the total was about $30,000. It has grown just about every year.
“We realize that all the items purchased are not just holiday related, but when local people make an extra effort to shop at home, it makes a difference for the merchants and for the city sales tax,” he said.
Marler indicated the top prize is $700 this year, second prize is $400, and third prize is $100. The prizes all will be in the form of Peabody Bucks. The drawing will be at 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at City Hall.
“You can’t win if you don’t shop and get your card punched for each $10 you spend,” he said. “And don’t forget to sign the back of the ticket before you turn it in.”
Marler also reminded shoppers not to throw away unfinished cards after the drawing deadline.
“In order to track as many of the actual sales as possible, we want shoppers to put their incomplete cards into a separate drawing after Christmas and we will give a $75 consolation prize,” he said. “No need to make additional purchases. Just put your name on the back and take the incomplete tickets to city hall.”
“That’s pretty much it,” he added. “The only thing left is to start shopping.”