'Love Local': City Of Collinsville Supports Businesses Through New Campaign

It is officially the month of love, and the city of Collinsville hopes residents will share that love with its downtown businesses.

The Community Outreach Office kicked off the Love Local Campaign in celebration of Collinsville's 125th anniversary as a city.

"It is a way for the community to show some love to our downtown businesses," said Community Outreach Coordinator, Sherry Campbell.

Locally owned businesses Bear Jax Sports & Trading Cards and Macaronage Sweets & Patisserie are new to Main Street but already proving to be favorites in the community. Owner of Bear Jax Sports & Trading, Dale Williams, said he has always been a collector, but until a little more than a month ago never thought he would be a store owner.

"Collinsville has been very welcoming," he continued saying. "This is kind of the hangout after school, all of the kids come in here and they are buying packs."

Several of his customers have already written a love letter to his business saying things like "Dale is awesome" and "My favorite shop is the card place."

The drop-off for the letters is right next-door in Campbell's office and she said it is neat to see all these kids participating.

"As soon as school gets out all these boys are bringing in the letters showing their appreciation to the owner and the new business next door," she added.

The letters are delivered to the businesses every Wednesday in February. Owner of Macaronage Sweets & Patisserie, Courtney Horn, said she loves the campaign.

It is helping new businesses like her French-inspired bakery attract new customers. With a menu that is always rotating, Horn keeps it fresh. "One of the absolute favorites is my creme brulee, the Lemon Cloud cookies have always been a huge hit, and of course the macarons," she said.

These love at first bite pastries are bringing love letters her way, too. However, Horn said the real treat would be to win.

"I would be really honored, she said. "I have just enjoyed this so much."

Every love letter dropped in the big red mailbox at 1126 W Main Street in Collinsville is an entry into a gift card giveaway.

Campbell said, "Our local businesses win because we are purchasing a $300 gift card from them and then the customers win because they get to spend $300 in their favorite business."

It is the city's way of saying "I love you" to those businesses that do so much for their community.

Bear Jax Sports & Trading Cards is located at 1124 W Main Street and Macaronage Sweets & Patisserie is at 1003 W Main Street.