Passport to Colfax returning to chamber businesses next month

Passports are returning to Colfax.

Local businesses will have Passports to Colfax starting Nov. 1. The passports will be at businesses which are members of the chamber.

“You can purchase items in Colfax, get stamps, fill it up and turn it in,” said Valoree Gregory, Colfax unified executive director.

Passport to Colfax will be the entire month of November and will conclude Dec. 1, which is First Thursday and Winterfest.

Passport to Colfax was introduced last year around the holidays to encourage local shopping.

“It was a big hit,” said Gregory. “It's the holidays. We want them to shop local.”

The passports have six spots for stamps, and to earn a stamp, a customer simply has to purchase something.

“People shopped just for stamps last year,” said Gregory.

Once six stamps are collected, the passports can then be turned in to be entered in a drawing. One winner will come away with $200 worth of gift cards to local businesses.

There is no limit on how many times an individual may enter, and individuals can also collect multiple stamps from the same business for separate purchases. Those who enter a passport must fill out their name, e-mail address and phone number.

Last year, 2,000 passports were turned in. Gregory said the passports had to be re-printed last year because they were gone quickly.

“We printed 6,000 this year,” she said. “We're ready this year.”

Gregory also reported that some businesses last year said they saw an upswing in customers and purchases when the passports were out. She said she anticipates the same happening this year.

Passports will be able to be turned in at the chamber office, located at the Perkins House.