Community gets a boost $20 at a time

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - The small businesses of Shelbyville got a boost Saturday. It was part of a one-day effort spearheaded by the city's newspaper. The Shelby County community made an effort to battle the poor economy with 20 dollar bills.

The circle in the middle of downtown Shelbyville was home to a farmers' market Saturday morning.

Vendors like Mary Ann Fox sell fruits, vegetables, and plants. Like other merchants in this tough economy, Fox is grateful when people buy her goods.

"Well anytime that people reach into their pocketbook and spend money it helps the economy," Fox said.

Little businesses in Shelbyville and elsewhere have had an especially hard time during this recession.

To try to help boost business Shelbyville's newspaper conducted a campaign asking the people who live here, to shop here Saturday the 20th and spend 20 dollars with a local merchant.

"Our core advertisers and our core business we're doing well if not above. But it's the little mom and pops. They outnumber the big guys. So that's what we're trying to do is help the mom and pops," explained newspaper publisher Rachael Raney.

Merchants were getting into the spirit. One gift shop was offering a special for Saturday where shoppers could get four candles for $20.

"It's been pretty good. We've been busier than normal just with the 'Twenty on the 20th.' We've been getting some extra people in, getting our candles out there," shop employee Kim Boger said.

Little shops often don't have the advertising budgets to compete with the bigger guys.

The publisher of the Shelbyville News knows helping preserve her small community's shops helps preserve its character.

"All the little specialty shops, they're few and far between any more. And they're near to my heart," said Raney.

Raney hoped the spirit of the paper's campaign turned into a day that boosted profits for local businesses and the spirit of the city as well. She got the idea for Saturday's effort after reading about a similar campaign in Aiken, South Carolina.