Chamber Promotes Local Shopping

The Woodridge Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Woodridge have created a website that allows the public to show community support and see what the local businesses have to offer.

"This is a great way for people to keep in touch and see what is going on in the community," Amy Melinder President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce said. "People have one place to go to look for information."

Shop Local Shop Woodridge provides a list of contact information and addresses on all the local retail, restaurants, markets and entertainment businesses. The site also tells the public how to get involved in the community. A resident or non-resident can show their support by filling out a form, registering online and posting a comment that says they will shop in Woodridge to support the campaign of shopping locally.

For more information on where to shop or how to get involved visit www.shopwoodridge.net.

Woodridge businesses do what they can to gain support from the residents.

Ted Bulthaup the CEO and owner of Hollywood Boulevard, 1001 W. 75th St., said moviegoers show their support by going locally to the movies.

Bulthaup said the crowds are drawn to the special events that the theatre offers, for the dining options and to see the films.

"We have done all kinds of things to promote our business from having celebrities come in, holding previews and through a variety of advertisements and broadcasts," he said.

Shopping locally keeps tax dollars within the community, creates and maintain jobs, saves time for the public by driving locally and saves money on gas, Melinder said.

"The site reinforces those residents that shop locally and bring awareness to those who didn't think about it," Melinder said.