By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
The latest Business Showcase is currently underway in Hays offering area residents an opportunity to explore local businesses, while at the same time offering the chance to win prizes from participating locations as well as from the Hays Chamber.
"It just started last week Friday, so from Oct. 29 to Nov. 19," said Hays Chamber President and CEO Sarah Wasinger.
While this is not a new event for the chamber, she said this showcase features two premier sponsors, giving more opportunities to win prizes in time for the holidays.
"We are very excited because Adams Brown and Sunflower Bank are actually our sponsors, our premier sponsors for the events that we get to we have to this time," Wasinger said. "So we figured with it being Christmas time, it would be nice to give away more money."
With the two sponsors, she said the chamber will have additional Chamber Check prizes given out.
"We'll be drawing for four $100 Chamber Check prizes, and then two $50 Chamber Check prizes on Nov. 22."
Anyone interested in participating can visit any of the locations, or the Chamber office, 2700 Vine, to pick up a card that lists the participating businesses and relevant information for the showcase.
"This card has all the locations listed as well as the addresses for the participating businesses, and of course, their hours of operation," Wasinger said. "So we take the guesswork out for you, you know exactly where to go and when to go."
She said many of the businesses will also be offering their own prize drawings or discounts.
And while the chance to win prizes or save money is important, the aim of the program is to entice area residents to explore area businesses.
"So why we love Business Showcase so much is ... there may be a business that you're not familiar with, you wouldn't normally have the opportunity to go in there or wouldn't perhaps think of that depending on what you're in the market for, for purchasing yourself or for your family," Wasinger said. "So these businesses would love to have folks come in."
With the selection of participating buisnesses, she said the time required to complete the showcase is minimal.
"If you have some extra time, it'll literally take you probably no more than an hour and a half to go visit all these nine different locations," Wasinger said. "And within that time, you're going to get a lot of different promotions and offerings, a chance to win extra prizes when you go to their locations, as well as just a great opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping."
And the participants also offer a diverse representation of operations in the area.
"So ABC Seamless, I know they're going to be having some discounts on their items in store so they are located at 1507 East 27th Street," Wasinger said. "Diamond R Jewelry is another one of our businesses this go around and they are going to be offering 20 percent off jewelry repair services through Jan. 1 with a presentation of (the) card."
"HaysMed is one that I am very excited to go to because, with COVID, they of course have been limited on who and how they're letting people into the hospital. But their gift shop is back up and running. So the HaysMed volunteer corner gift shop, they have such a wonderful variety of different items in there."
In conjunction with the Business Showcase, they also have an open house planned on Nov. 11 and 12.
"So you can go in there and actually register for a gift card while you're doing the business showcase too," Wasinger said.
"And Nex-Tech Wireless is another one. ... They're gonna have some special promotions on the Samsung S 21 and iPhone 13. And they're going to also have some in-store giveaways for participants. So they're located, of course, at 1101 East 43rd Street.
After celebrating a special anniversary at Rohr's Carpet Cleaning recently, she said she is excited they participated in the showcase as well.
"They're gonna have a lot of different sales on in-stock items and different promotions," Wasinger said. "Plus, they're doing a drawing for a mop kit that can be used to keep your house clean during the holidays. ... They're located at 722 East 7th Street."
"And then Sunflower Bank, their north location. ... So you'll visit the North Branch at 4720 Ross Avenue and they're going to be actually doing a special drawing for different branded items, as well as doing different chamber check giveaways. I think they're doing a $25 giveaway, a $20 giveaway. And customers can also get $100 if they open up their first personal checking account and get rewarded with extra perks."
Thirsty's Brew Pub and Grill is also featured, in both the showcase, as well as on the chamber's Hot Deals.
"They are always great about having a Hot Deal every month," Wasinger said. "And I believe this month it includes a very tasty steak with some sides. So you'll have to go check out Hayschamber.com and hit the Hot Deals and you'll be able to see that special."
Rounding out the businesses is Vyve Broadband.
They're going to be doing an in-store drawing for branded products valued at $50," Wasinger said. "So they're, of course, located at 1007 West 27th Street and are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m."
"But United Way of Ellis County is also going to be joining us this go around and this is a special one because the end of the year is really such an important time for them. So they'll be doing some different raffle tickets for purchase and for their dine-out day. So visit them at 205 East 27th Street, Suite 111."
Once participants receive the stamp at each location, they can then return the filled-out cards to the chamber office.
"You'll have to make sure that you do that by Nov. 19," Wasinger said. "And then, of course, on Monday, Nov. 22, we're going to be doing that chamber check drawing on via Facebook Live."
For more information, visit the Hays Chamber website hayschamber.com.
Cover photo courtesy Pixabay