Shop St. Joseph winners announced

By Ashley Luthans

The winners of the Shop St. Joseph competition were announced on Thursday afternoon.

Ethan Bennett came forward with the $10,000 grand prize winning ticket from Murphy’s Smokin Meats and Julie Turner walked away with the $2,500 Small Business Bonus with a ticket from Niche of Time Jewelry.

Bennett, a college student, shared that he was surprised and excited to have won the grand prize. He stressed the importance of shopping locally in St. Joseph.

“I just think it’s incredibly important to support local businesses, especially in our town,” Bennett said. “And I think Shop St. Joe is an excellent way for people to, at least incentivize people to go out and shop locally.”

Dale and Annette Murphy, the owners of Murphy’s Smokin Meats shared gratitude for those who shop local in a press conference Thursday afternoon, as it helps keep businesses like their running.

“As a small business owner, you work day to night everyday,” Annette Murphy said. “So, for your customers to come in and see them every week is gratitude.”

Turner, who won the Small Business Bonus, didn’t know that the bonus prize existed. She shared that she was stunned to have won.

“It’s fantastic I mean I was completely shocked,” Turner said. “It was a nice, it was a nice surprise to see that I had the numbers.”

Owners of Niche of Time Jewelry, Mark and Jamie Segrist, said that small businesses are vital to the community and Shop St. Joseph is a good way to highlight that.

“I think it’s important because it does remind people, obviously there is the incentive for them, but it just reminds people they, they do need to support local businesses because it will be the people that may employee their children or grandchildren and support the charity or the people that need help,” Mark Segrist said.

The second chance winning tickets have also been announced. Prizes are available from over 40 local businesses. The winning numbers can be found here.

News-Press NOW will update this story.