The holiday season is just around the corner, and the downtown committee of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is planning to make this holiday season in center-city one of the best in years.

The 2016 downtown Hazleton holiday promotion begins on Wednesday, November 23rd and will continue for three weeks. Participating businesses will contribute $10 which collectively with other downtown merchants creates four $50 prizes consisting of five $10 “Downtown Bucks” certificates. In addition, the Wiltsie Center has generously donated two tickets to the Twelve Twenty Four show as an additional prize. The show will take place on December 28th beginning at 7pm at The Wiltsie Center, 700 North Wyoming Street, Hazleton. Plus, as an added bonus, Chaskin Jewelers will contribute the grand prize, a $100 gift certificate which could be used at their store in honor of their 100th year in business.

Participating merchants will have a drop off box in their place of business for shoppers to enter to win. There is no cost to register. Winners will be chosen on December 14th at Chaskin Jewelers by a random drawing from all entries collected. The prize “bucks” can only be spent at participating businesses which include: ARCIL, Anthracite Region Center for Independent Living; Bayada Pediatrics; Builder’s Direct; CAN DO, Inc.; Carmen’s Bakery & Deli; Chaskin Jewelers; Country Sparkle Gift Shoppe; Eastern Insurance; Expressions; Eye Care Specialists; Fellin’s Jewelers; Frankie’s Pizzeria & Restaurant; Grand Central; Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; Hair of the Dog; Hazle Drugs; Jagger’s Doggy Deli; Jimmy’s Quick Lunch; Luzerne County Community College-Hazleton; Lehigh Tire; Metallo’s Formal Wear; Motor Transportation; Polanco General Services; Standard Speaker; The Pines Eatery & Spirits; The Sage Exchange; The Shop 2; Tri-Mountain Ventures LLC; Vesuvio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant; Victoria’s Candies; Wagner & John LLC of Wells Fargo Advisors; and YMCA/YWCA of Hazleton.

Donna Barna, Board Chair of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce noted, “We are excited to have an increase in the number of small businesses participating in this year’s holiday promotion.” “The promotion is meant to encourage our community to shop in the small businesses for the holidays and the whole year through. The “downtown bucks” expire in March of 2017 so that participants can continue to take advantage of great products and services our downtown has to offer.”

The promotional effort seeks to capitalize on the holiday activities taking place in center-city Hazleton including the Chamber’s 21st annual Downtown Hazleton Holiday Social that will be held on Thursday, December 1st from 5 to 7 pm at The Pines Eatery & Spirits. Each year the social is held at a downtown chamber member location. The Standard Speaker, who is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year will sponsor the affair. This event is open to chamber member businesspeople. Registration is required by contacting the Chamber office at (570) 455-1509 or registering online at hazletonchamber.org.

Pictured from left kicking off the downtown holiday promotion is: Donna Barna, chamber chairwoman; Barry Chaskin, store owner; Mrs. Claus; Rafael Polanco, Polanco General Services LLC & Greater Hazleton Hispanic Business Association; and Judy Carey, store manager.