Record-setting season of shopping small in Hannibal

We’ve all been asked to shop local to support small businesses, especially as the covid crisis hits stores squarely in the pocketbook. In 2020, when Hannibal residents were encouraged to shop small, they responded in a big way with a record number of local Chamber of Commerce gift certificates.

Hannibal Chamber of Commerce Executive Director McKenzie Disselhorst announced that the chamber sold more than $100,000 in gift certificates for local businesses in 2020. In a typical year, sales are closer to the $60,000-$70,000 range. “We’ve never been even close to $100,000 before,” she told me.

“We are thrilled to have hit such a big milestone in gift certificates, all of which are going back into our local member-businesses and continuing to circulate in our local economy,” Disselhorst said.

When you buy a chamber gift certificate, the money is guaranteed to stay local because they are only redeemable at chamber member businesses. That still gives you more than 150 businesses to choose from, so you’re not limiting your selection. To buy gift certificates, visit the chamber’s website.

When you’re thinking ahead to gifts you need to buy for 2021, consider a gift certificate from your local Chamber of Commerce. So often we ask our businesses to donate for our community fundraisers. Let’s give back by supporting them as they struggle during these hard financial times.