Hamilton, Bermuda 10 January 2022 – Once again, for the third year, Ray Lambert, Director of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) at the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) and his team set out to increase economic activity within BEDC’s three Economic Empowerment Zones (EEZ’s) – Somerset, Northeast Hamilton and St. George’s – over the holiday season. Starting on November 29th, eMonday, through January 2nd, members of the public were encouraged to eat, shop and play in any of the EEZ’s for a chance to be entered into a shop to win draw. Anyone that spent $20 or more in any participating restaurant or store within the Economic Empowerment Zones were entered into a draw for a chance to win a $500, $300 or $200 Gift Voucher to use within the EEZs.
This initiative is designed to incentivize customers to shop in the Zones, and it also provides an opportunity for the BEDC Officers to engage with the shop owners and determine how best to support them during this holiday season. “It is our goal to encourage members of the public to expand their idea of where to spend their dollars during the holiday season. There are great locations outside of the City of Hamilton that many don’t often consider,” says Donte Hunt, BEDC Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) Officer supporting the Northeast Hamilton EEZz
During the shop to win draw, over 1200 vouchers were submitted, more than 80 businesses participated, and shoppers spent a total of $91,382 within the Somerset, Northeast Hamilton and St. George’s Economic Empowerment Zones. Ray Lambert states, “I am very pleased that we were able to continue this initiative, especially during what has been a very difficult couple of years for businesses island wide. We were excited to bring it back for another year and its continued success fuels us and the participating businesses for the future.”
This year the BEDC also awarded the business owner where the winning shopper was selected, with a cash award valued at the equivalent dollar amount. The winning shoppers and businesses are as follows:
Somerset
- 1st Place Prize Winner – Dalila Kelly
- 2nd Place Prize Winner – Cynthia Lancer-Barnes
- 3rd Place Prize Winner – Quinton Burgess
- 1st Place Prize Business – Buds Liquor Store
- 2nd Place Prize Business – Somerset Pharmacy
- 3rd Place Prize Business – Trini Spice
North-East Hamilton
- 1st Place Prize Winner – Camille Hunte
- 2nd Place Prize Winner – Shelly Ann Nurse
- 3rd Place Prize Winner – Cheryl Ming
- 1st Place Prize Business – Sung Sing
- 2nd Place Prize Business – Casual Footware
- 3rd Place Prize Business – Party Central
St. George’s
- 1st Place Prize Winner – Maryem Biadillah
- 2nd Place Prize Winner – Rhonda Steede
- 3rd Place Prize Winner – Michelle Burrows
- 1st Place Prize Business – Roberston’s Drug Store- Downstairs
- 2nd Place Prize Business – Roberston’s Drug Store- Upstairs
- 3rd Place Prize Business – The Things We Love
All winning cash vouchers can be spent at one or multiple participating locations within any of the EEZ’s. Dennis Carter, Junior MSME Officer in charge of St. George’s had this to say, “the Christmas “Eat, Shop, Play” Shop to Win Draw, has been a tremendously successful campaign. By participating in this initiative, members of the public had the opportunity to explore and get to know new restaurants and stores. It was great for the zones, great for the businesses and fun for the shoppers too. A win all around.”
Excited about the success of the 3rd annual Shop to Win Draw, the BEDC looks forward to continuing to develop more initiatives like it that work to promote business within Somerset, Northeast Hamilton and St. George’s. Ondreyah Rochester Junior MSME Officer supporting the Somerset EEZ shared her sentiments, “We were thrilled to offer this incentive to shop in the EEZs again and we look forward to continuing to do so in the years to come.” For more information about the EEZs and the “Eat, Shop, Play” Shop to Win Draw, please visit www.bedc.bm.
About BEDC
Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is Bermuda’s premier source of free confidential business advice for entrepreneurs. The mission is to serve Bermuda’s local business community with the highest degree of professionalism by providing, authoritative business advice; counsel and loan guarantee support. Bermuda Business Starts Here! For more information visit www.bedc.bm.
