Save big at favorite stores, support the Symphony

For the 22nd year in a row, locals can support their love of music and their love of shopping. The popular Shopper’s Card is once again available as a fundraising opportunity for the Shreveport Symphony Guild.

Renata Smolaga, the chairperson of the Shopper’s Card Committee, is looking forward to the promotion. “I’ve had a unique privilege for the last two years to be the chairperson of the Shopper’s Card committee, working alongside a group of women whose relentless energy and hard work have contributed over the years to the success of this fundraiser,” Smolaga said. “We’re very grateful to the amazing group of local merchants who have so graciously agreed to support this year’s Shopper’s Card.”

Every year the committee chooses a group of local merchants, who for 10 days in October agree to honor a discount card for a 20% savings on their goods and services. This year, there are more than 70 participants.

The money earned from the sale of the Shopper’s Card is used to support the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, the International Wideman Piano Competition and the maintenance of the historic Symphony House.

“We feel that in addition to this event providing much-needed funds to support causes dear to our hearts, it presents an excellent opportunity to highlight our local merchants, who have been an integral and vital part of the Shreveport- Bossier landscape,” Smolaga said. “Not only is this a chance for our community to revisit the stores they have been familiar with for a long time, but also to discover new businesses and retail venues, while taking care of the early Christmas shopping.”

The discount is only available from Oct. 16 through Oct. 26 and is a huge win for the Shreveport Symphony Guild, the merchants and the locals who shop there.

“The Shoppers’ Card is an opportunity to really invest in our community. Just as thriving local businesses make our community a more vibrant and appealing place to live, the SSO musicians enrich our community in ways far beyond the symphony concerts themselves,” Michael Butterman, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra music director, said. “We local musicians thank our local merchants for their support and believe that this unique project is a great way for us to help each other.”

Participating merchants include Couleur Boutique, Enchanted Garden, Ivy & Stone, Auto Mall Car Wash, Pure Barre, Porter’s Carpet Cleaners, The Paper Tulip, Fine Wood Furniture, Favorite Sisters’ Boutique, Cactus Clothing Co., Blossoms Fine Flower & Gifts, Pendley Piano Gallery, Sportspectrum, Yarbrough Interior Designers, McCary’s Jewelers, Lewis Gift, Ladies in Waiting, John Pickens Clothiers and many more. “I believe the Shopper’s Card event is very important in encouraging people to shop local and  support local businesses – especially during the important holiday season,” Catherine Hobbs with Lewis Gifts said. “It brings so much more traffic to our store — we see our loyal customers and many new customers discover us!” “As an owner of a small local yarn shop. I feel it is vastly important to support other small local businesses, as well as our local arts. I am happy to be a part of the Shopper’s Card this year, to encourage support of these causes.” Linda Oswalt with Yarn On Youree said. “A community dies out when the arts are not celebrated and spread, and the Shreveport Symphony has provided a venue for our finest musicians to thrive and grow. By purchasing a Shopper’s Card, the community can support the symphony and benefit from shopping in locally owned businesses.”

MORE INFORMATION:

The Shopper’s Card can be purchased for $50 in multiple avenues: • online, by visiting shreveportsymphonyguild.org • at all participating merchant locations • directly from the Shreveport Symphony Guild members • by calling the Shreveport Symphony office 318-227-TUNE