Businesses and establishments within the Tri-Cities took part in the Shop4Schools event this past weekend. On Saturday, Nov. 11 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., 15 percent of total profits went towards the customer’s school of choice.

The Bookman, a primary bookstore to go to all year round, was one of many to participate in this event.

“I thought it was a very worthwhile event,” owner Dick Tanis said. “I think it’s great that people can come in, purchase a book, purchase an item, and then they would tell us what school they would like to represent. I think it’s a great way to raise funds for the local schools in West Michigan.”

Although this event causes the local shops to profit a little less on individual purchases, it actually ends up benefiting the community and stores like Fortino’s, an old fashioned convenience shop located downtown.

“It doesn’t hurt business, it in fact drives business,” manager of Fortino’s, Peter Clark said. “Just the community participation alone brings customers back time and time again. It helps it greatly. Overall, it doesn’t really change the business, it just changes the customer’s perception when you’re willing to give back to the community.”

Skate shop Buffalo Bob’s also took part in Shop4Schools this year. It brought lots of customers to this clothing store over the weekend, but owner Jill Hutchinson reminds us that local shops need customers all season long.

“They have to remember that to keep giving to the community, we need our fellow population to come down here and shop,” Hutchinson said. “Not just for events like that, but all the time in order to do stuff like this.”