A total of 45 local merchants have signed up to participate in this year's Shop St. Joseph holiday program, which starts today. That's two more than last year, but one fewer than 2007, the program's inaugural year.

In 2007, Shop St. Joseph attracted 46 merchants and last year enrolled 43 businesses. All participants are members of the St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce. Additional businesses may sign up today, according to the Chamber.

Shop St. Joseph concludes Dec. 21 with a $10,000 grand prize drawing at the chamber office, located at 3003 Frederick Ave. The winner need not be present for the drawing. The winner will have 24 hours to claim the prize once a ticket has been announced.

The program supports St. Joseph businesses during the holidays, said chamber Communications Director Kristi Rasmussen.

"The main reason is to encourage our local residents to spend their shopping dollars in our local economy," she said.

The 2008 Shop St. Joseph winners were Margaret Clauson, Valerie Mackley, and Kelli Calhoun - who pooled their tickets together and chose to split the prize.

"Last year was pretty exciting," Mrs. Rasmussen said. "It was the first day that the winning number was drawn."

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Governmental or school district purchases will not be eligible for the drawings. A Shop St. Joseph committee provides oversight and guidance for the campaign.

Contact Natalie Leonard-Redmond at 364-4107 or leonard@saintjoseph.com for rules and more information, or visit the chamber's Web site at www.saintjoseph.com.

The News-Press is one of the contest's media sponsors.

Here is a list of 2009's participants:

Ashley Lynn's Tanning, Basil's Italian Cafe, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Shop, The Buckle, Butchart's Flower & Gifts, Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Cafe, Clara's Fashions, Cold Stone Creamery/Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Colony House Furniture & Bedding, Commerce Bank, Creviston and Son Jewelry, Dillard's, East Hills Shopping Center Information & Gift Certificate Center, Eisenberg's Better Living, Fairview Golf Pro Shop, Fredrick Inn, Halbert Jewelers, Home Style Furniture & Flooring, Hy-Vee, J.C. Penney, J. Franklin Gallery, Jimmy John's, JR's T.B.A. and Service, Long Lighting Center, Merry Maids, On-Site Golf, PBE's Toys and Dolls, People's Furniture, Performance Plus Rehabilitation Center, Pigtails 'N Inkwells, Record Wear House, Rod's Hallmark Shop, St. Joe Harley-Davidson, St. Joe Honda, St. Joseph Auction & Antique Mart, St. Joseph Tennis & Swim Club, Serenity Salon and Spa, The Sprint Store (Shoppes at North Village), Stoney Creek Inn - Gift Certificates, Terrible's St. Jo Frontier Casino, Trader Dave's, U.S. Bank, Vatterott College, Weaver Overhead Door and X-Press It Solutions Inc.

Ray Scherer can be reached at rscherer@npgco.com.