Guests were lined up at the doors of the Delta Grand awaiting for entry at the first annual Tangled in Tinsel event hosted by the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce and St. Landry Parish Government.
More than 250 shoppers packed the Delta Grand Tuesday evening to shop from over 20 local vendors who participated in the event. The venue provided an ideal shopping environment out of the elements and the rain did not deter guests from coming out to support the local market. Guests were greeted with a complimentary champagne bar in the lobby as they arrived to sip and shop. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres were also served as guests enjoyed networking and socializing throughout the evening.
Proceeds from ticket purchases for the event and raffle tickets will benefit the Chamber’s Foundation which offers a Youth Scholarship Program. Raffle prizes were donated from local businesses and organizations with loads of great goodies and a beautiful framed print from Bella Noel Photography of Downtown Opelousas.
Local businesses and organizations also participated in a Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.
First place went to Lana Soileau & Associates, 2nd Place was awarded to Opelousas Pregnancy Center and Benny’s Supermarket took 3rd place for its gingerbread replica of the local grocery store.
The event proved to be a great success for local shops and business owners across the parish as shoppers picked up local goods to get ahead of the holiday rush. The Grinch also made a special appearance and even Landry, the Chamber mascot was present to spread a little extra cheer.
The Impact of Supporting Locally-Owned Businesses
Local shopping events such as this one are popping up more and more in rural communities and are valuable to the local economy. Small businesses are too-commonly seen as the underdogs when matched against the big box stores and large supply chains that are typically able to provide more competitive pricing. However, the impact a little extra change can make when it stays cycled within its community can pack quite a punch.
Big box retailers often receive tax breaks from local governments while local business owners don’t get that benefit. The tax revenue made through sale taxes from local businesses, however, support the local government which in turn is used to reinvest in the community.
Another reason to support your local shops: take a look at the sponsor banners hanging along the fences of your children/grandchildren’s schools. These are the businesses that support local sports, clubs, and organizations that are made possible primarily through community support. According to a published Forbes article, small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to local nonprofits and community causes, creating a positive cycle of giving back locally.
