PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Leaders in Philadelphia’s tourism industry are asking holiday shoppers to support local businesses, especially Black- and Brown-owned ones, this season.
Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, said each and every one of us can make a contribution to the economic recovery of the city simply by supporting local businesses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“As we choose to support our restaurants with our holiday meal takeouts,” he said, “or even our breweries — who are local, small, regional breweries, who also could use some help — not to forget that the online gift shops of our museums and attractions have amazing gifts to consider.”
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Visit Philadelphia curated an online list of nearly 40 Black- and Brown-owned businesses for your gift-giving needs.
“That way,” Guaracino said, “they can support equity and inclusion through their pocketbooks and through their wallets.”
Visit Philly even launched a sweepstakes in which Philadelphians can enter to win 10 gifts worth $500 from Black-owned shops around town. The contest ends on Dec. 30.
Despite the coronavirus closures and restrictions, there are still plenty of holiday-inspired displays to see throughout the region, too — in a safe and responsible way.
“We will get through this,” Guaracino encouraged, “and we want people to have their holiday memories. And while it’s going to be different this year than most, we are very optimistic that next year we will be back to the many favorite things that we know and love.”