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Date: 1/3/2024
WESTFIELD — The Bubble Mug Cafe at the Pottery Cellar has won the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s “Shop Small, Shop Local” campaign. The winner was announced at the chamber’s annual holiday breakfast on Dec. 15, 2023.
“I feel overwhelmingly great,” said owner Dawn Whitehall. “It’s shown that our hard work, not only by myself and the whole team, has paid off and that we have such a positive impact on our community and surrounding communities.”
The “Shop Small, Shop Local” campaign had shoppers vote on their favorite local businesses, with the winner receiving a year of free membership. All in the top 10 would receive certificates of congratulations. Shoppers who nominated a business had the chance to win a $100 gift card, donated by Marketing Committee Head Julianne Krutka. There were three gift card winners.
Chamber Executive Director Amanda Waterfield said 161 businesses were nominated, most of which were either retail or service stores. Bubble Mug Cafe was a “strong winner,” she said. They received 148 out of the 860 votes, or 17.2% of the total. She believed they won due to heavy foot traffic and promotion of the campaign to their customers, something Whitehall believes as well.
The second-place business went to Pilgrim Candle and third place went to Louis & Clark Country Gifts. The other businesses in the top 10 were Chrissy G’s Bakery, Crave Café, Circuit Coffee, Two Rivers Burrito Company, Puffer’s Salon & Day Spa, Affordable Mattress & Furniture, and Be Bella Boutique.
The goal of the campaign was to encourage people to shop locally. Given the number of businesses nominated, Waterfield believed the campaign was a success.
“Giving the local businesses some visibility, getting people to think about making that choice was our ultimate goal and I think we really achieved that,” she said.
Whitehall said “Shop Small, Shop Local” brought awareness to her store. Combined with their own promotion of the campaign, it drew more customers to her store, she said.
Because Bubble Mug Cafe already is a chamber member, their membership will be extended a year, free of charge. Whitehall said the extension was greatly appreciated.
Whitehall would like to thank the entire Pottery Cellar team, her family, and her friends.
Waterfield said the chamber will definitely run the campaign again next year. She would like to give credit to Krutka for her leadership, her vision, and her embrace of the idea.
The Bubble Mug Cafe at the Pottery Cellar is located inside the Mill at Crane Pond, 77 Mill St., Westfield. They serve soups, salads, sandwiches, and quesadillas on Polish pottery. The store is planning to increase the size of its retail and gathering spaces in 2024.