ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – Dozens of businesses are teaming up ahead of the holidays. It’s the latest initiative to get people to shop locally.

Shop Williamson Road, organized by the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association, kicked off Monday.

“I think Williamson Road is one of those well-kept secrets and we don’t want to be a secret any longer,” Valerie Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association, said.

They won’t be, thanks to Shop Williamson Road Weeks. The two-week event is all about getting you to explore the hidden gems along the 10-mile stretch in north Roanoke.

“They will hand you a passport and when you shop there, they will stamp your passport,” Brown said.

It’s like you’re on a shopping trip around the world, but without jet lag.

“We’ve got the international food places out here, Rodeo Thrift, RNR Tire, which is a brand-new store for us out here,” Brown said.

This is the first year the association is organizing it.

Local store owners like Caroline Dodson of Rodeo Thrift are excited to be part of the effort.

“I think it is great that we are all supporting local businesses and we are being able to see other local businesses and put our money into that,” Dodson said.

Even if it’s an area you haven’t considered, with the holidays, Brown and Dodson say it’s the perfect time to give it a try.

“Sometimes you do get blurred by the fact that Williamson Road is not glamourous, but there are hard-working people behind every business and great smiles and great community,” Dodson said. “That is one really good opportunity to meet the people who own these local businesses and see their hearts instead of staying on the outside.”

You can pick up one of the passports at any of the 26 stores.

This effort is running until Nov. 30. At the end of the 2nd week, you will drop your stamped passports off at a participating business. The passports will then be entered into a drawing for a $500 airline travel gift voucher to be used on any US flight originating in Roanoke, courtesy of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport.

Also, all returned passports will be entered into several drawings for a $50 gift card to your favorite Williamson Road business or service.

Participating Businesses Include:

AMF Hilltop Lanes

Basil Pizza

Beauty Within Hair Salon

Bethlehem Restaurant

Crowning Touch Senior Moving Services & Consignment Shop

Culture Ethnic Shop

Dillon’s Hot Dogs

Frank’s Italian Restaurant

Golden Coral Buffet & Grill

Good Times Tavern

Hollywood’s Restaurant

K & W Cafeteria

Lew’s Restaurant

Nuucent, LLC

Pho Vietnam

The Pine Room, Hotel Roanoke

The Regency Room, Hotel Roanoke

RNR Tire Express

Rodeo Thrift

Roanoke Mechanical

Roger L. Bishop Fine Jewelers

Sports Haven

Super Amanecer II Latin Store

Sweet P’s Ice Cream

Tinker Creek Creative Counseling

Tropical Smoothie

Viet Sub

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