Message from BV Chamber: Support the #ShopBVFirst campaign

In the midst of a difficult holiday season, with COVID-19 cases rising, and businesses worried, the Buena Vista’s Chamber of Commerce continues to promote its #ShopBVFirst campaign. It urges the community and visitors to put their support behind local business this holiday season. supporting the local economy as the pandemic continues, to demonstrate community commitment.

According to Chamber Executive Director Melissa Traynham, it’s an easy walk through downtown, but if you want to shop from the convenience of your home, you can shop the deals in one place at https://buenavistacolorado.org/shop-local/. Either way you’ll be supporting the arts, finding one-of-a-kind gifts and supporting local shops and services and the personalized attention they offer.

In addition, the Chaffee County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) is promoting local business through gift card sales.

If a Chaffee County business is able to sell tangible gift cards out of a store front, they are also eligible to promote them on the CCVB’s Gift Card Shop on their website.

The CCVB has confirmed it will cover all charges, allowing local businesses to keep 100 percent of sales. Gift cards are in $25 increments unless a special amount is requested.  Buyers can purchase an unlimited number of cards and CCVB will fulfill the orders when received, mail them out to buyers, and be the point of contact, saving businesses from any hassles.

If a business would like to be added to the Gift Card Shop, they can visit https://shop.colorfulcolorado.com. For more information businesses can email vacation@colorfulcolorado.com.

“After a challenging COVID spring for small business, this ‘outside the box’ idea was born,” according to CCVB. “It brought successes to our business community and with what appears to be another challenging winter with COVID, CCVB wanted to be able to support their communities. With the holiday season upon us, it is an ideal way to shop locally and keep our community safe.”

There’s some money to be made if you live in Buena Vista and have a knack for decorating — particularly doors.

The ‘Deck the Door’ contest, sponsored by First Colorado Land Office (FCLO), is paying out $500, $250 and $100 to the top three entries with the best holiday-themed doors. To enter, email a photo of your decorated door by 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 14 to natalie@firstcolorado.com.

All Buena Vista community members are eligible to participate and winners will be selected by the community. In other words, get your friends and family involved.

Voting takes place in-person at the Buena Vista office at 306 E. Main or choose your favorite agent from FCLO and vote on his or her Facebook page. Voting ends Dec. 20 with winners announced Dec. 21.

Looking for local gifts that fundraise?

An array of products is available from GARNA’s 6th Annual Photo Product Fundraiser, including notecard sets, a 2021 calendar and canvas and metal prints.

In 2020, 25 photographers submitted 65 photos and submissions were judged by a panel of professional photographers who determined a winner in each of six categories: Flora/Fauna, Development and Nature, Water, Landscape and Winter/Holiday.

People’s Choice winners were selected from the top three to four photos in each category.

Any photo can be used for large card orders of 25 or 100. Buyers of 100 cards or more may customize the inside of the card with a business or individual message and with return address on the envelopes. Product ordering can be viewed at GARNA.org. For questions, please contact GARNA at info@garna.org or at 719-539-5106.

Seeking fun for a good cause?

Featured logo: Buena Vista’s Chamber of Commerce reminds locals and visitors alike to invest their holiday shopping dollars in local merchants and services.