For Hometown News
PORT ST. LUCIE - With 65 businesses signed up to participate in the city's second annual community days shopping event on Veterans Day weekend, the city is encouraging residents to "buy local" as the holiday season approaches.
From Friday through Monday, Nov. 9-12, participating businesses throughout Port St. Lucie will offer promotions that include discounted pricing or free giveaway items. In exchange for their offers, the businesses were issued free special event permits from the city.
Normally the permits cost several hundred dollars and are required for sidewalk sales, tent sales and other major promotional events.
The community days promotions will be held at each individual place of business, not at a centralized location, helping shoppers discover establishments in their own neighborhoods they may not have known about.
As the only event of its kind on the Treasure Coast, it is intended to encourage residents to shop locally and to help businesses attract new customers.
A variety of retailers, restaurants and service businesses will participate. They can be found on the city's website in a listing that can be searched by business category or name.
Categories include appliances, children's items, food, furniture and many others.
Shoppers can search by products and services sold, and can see what special deals are offered. There also is an option to print a list of businesses that can be brought along on a shopping trip.
Businesses that want to participate still can sign up on the city's website, www.cityofpsl.com or call the city's business tax division at (772) 344-4356.