The Chamber, which has operated the gift card program since 2017, is urging all cardholders to check their cards.

If the card is the new blue and white version that says “ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card” the card remains valid, and you may use it at any of more than 165 merchants throughout Chautauqua County.

If the card has an image of a family on the front and says “Shoptauqua” you will find that the date on the back of the card has expired. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce can transfer the balance on your old card to a new card. To do this, you will need to turn in the old card to their office.

While the plastic card itself is expiring, the funds on the card do not expire.

People can take expired, or soon to expire, cards to the Chamber’s offices in Jamestown on North Main Street, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cards also can be brought to the Dunkirk offices at the JCC North Training Center on Bennett Road, Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

People also can make an appointment by calling (716) 484-1101, ext. 201.

The day, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is meant to promote people shopping at locally-owned businesses during the holiday season.

The Small Business Development Center at JCC said when people shop locally, it helps an estimated 67-cents out of every dollar stay in the community. By comparison, they said shopping at big box stores keeps roughly 38-cents in the community, with online shopping having the smallest impact on the local economy.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is holding a contest where those who shop local can enter to win ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards. People who want to participate only need to post a photo and check-in at a small, locally-owned business on Facebook or Instagram and add #ShopSmallCHQ to your post. By posting, you will be automatically entered to win up to $500 in ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards.

The business does not have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and no purchase is required for your entry. The more times you check in and use the hashtag, the more entries you will get. Winners will be selected on Monday, November 28. Entries will be counted for Small Business Saturday, November 26 only.

On Cyber Monday, November 28, the Chamber is also offering a discount on products through ShopLocalCHQ.com.

Visit https://www.chautauquachamber.org/ for more information.

Also, the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, who is the parent organization of WRFA, will be offering a deal starting Saturday through December. When you buy a $50 gift card, you will receive a free movie ticket good for use for movies at the Reg.

Visit reglenna.com for more.