Column by Louis R. Ramirez, Sr.
Shop Local Shop Seguin” is a positive promotional effort which originated with the Seguin Guadalupe County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2008. The Hispanic Chamber’s original goal was to remind shoppers to do their shopping in Seguin in order to increase Christmas sales in the small businesses located throughout Seguin and Guadalupe County. To promote the event, the Hispanic Chamber printed large posters with the “Shop Local Shop Seguin” slogan and gave them to small business owners and chamber members to display in their stores. The Hispanic Chamber also coined the phrase, “Keep the Green in Seguin.” The event became a popular marketing project in which the Seguin Economic Development Corporation, Seguin Main Street, and the Seguin Chamber of Commerce participates. This assembly of civic organizations encourages shopping locally, not only for the holiday season, but throughout the year to assist the small business community to realize increased annual sales.
Why not shop local? Small and larger businesses and corporations exist throughout Seguin and Guadalupe County. One of the many advantages of shopping locally is not having to drive to distant shopping malls, fighting traffic, highway construction, and crowds of shoppers. A greater percentage of the dollars a shopper spends with local businesses will circulate and stay within the community. Local businesses provide unique goods and services. They provide employment opportunities to local citizens. They get involved in and contribute to community events. They pay taxes to the City of Seguin and Guadalupe County which helps to fund parks, roads, and other services. They remember your name when you shop regularly, and they really appreciate your business! The Hispanic Chamber believes that the publicity generated by the “Shop Local Shop Seguin” campaign results in upward sales for the small business community during the Christmas holidays and throughout the year.
During the last three years, the Hispanic Chamber has confronted and overcome many challenges to keep our doors open and to control expenditures. Because of Covid 19 mandates on congregating, we were not able to hold our major fund-raising events. We cancelled Fiestas Patrias, Fiestas Juan Seguin, the annual awards banquet and our power luncheon, which recognizes leaders and decision makers. These cancellations affected our bottom line, so we recognize and empathize with local businesses facing similar challenges. To continue operations and raise funds, the Hispanic Chamber held a barbecue plate sale in October, and we also partnered with LULAC to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. During the shutdown period, the Hispanic Chamber met on-line and over the phone, and we cut excessive expenditures. Board directors also met in the chamber office while maintaining social distance and wearing masks to keep the organization active as much as possible. At this time, the Hispanic Chamber is outreaching and providing information to small minority-owned businesses which are not aware of the SBA loans and grants available to them during the Covid 19 shutdown.
The Chamber is also disseminating information to minority-owned small businesses that are unaware, or do not understand the process involved, in applying for City of Seguin and other grants. Specific grants allow eligible applicants to repair buildings, purchase essential equipment and repair their parking lots if necessary. Knowledgeable board members personally assist individuals to complete the appropriate application for the grant for which they qualify. The Hispanic Chamber will be hosting its Annual Awards Banquet in February of 2022.
The Seguin Guadalupe County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce office is located at 971 West Court Street and is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 830-372-3151. •