Shop Princeton Pride!                                             Historic downtown Princeton is a unique shopping destination located in Central Minnesota.  Shopping Princeton has a small town feel that makes it a destination you will purposely want to visit.  So how do we stay vital?

The odds are stacked against small business, 4 out of 5 don’t make it past the critical 5 year mark.  If you want to ensure that the restaurants, boutiques and mom-and-pop shops you love stay around for a long time, all you have to do is spend your money there-whenever you can, whatever you can.  It’s that simple.

For every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.  Spend it online and nothing comes home (The 3/50 Project).

One tool the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce is using to help promote the “Shop Local Campaign”  is to create the Flare.  Here is how it works:

· Businesses sell Flares to customers for $1

· Business will advertise monthly specials through the Chamber Website

· Customers show there Flare to get VIP treatment.

· These are perfect for clipping onto a zipper, purse, or key ring.

· Proceeds from the sale of the Flare will go toward advertising and marketing.