Shopper Surprised with $100 in Downtown Wyandotte

Annette Hunt was pretty excited to spend Saturday night shopping in downtown Wyandotte.

She was able to pick up a few things she was looking for, as well as check out , a small boutique opened about a year ago by her longtime friend, .

It was Hunt's first time visiting her friend's shop, but she's promised it won't be the last.

It was there where she learned that she was the winner of the first week of the Shop Downtown Wyandotte and Win contest. She received gift cards totaling $100 to five downtown businesses, including 4 Her.

"I'll definitely use one of my cards tonight," she said, while smiling and shopping for purses.

Natalie Rankine, director of Wyandotte's Downtown Development Authority, and Mayor Joseph Peterson .

"It's not everyday somebody comes and gives you $100," Peterson said.

"Never," Hunt said, laughing and shaking her head.

One lucky downtown shopper will be chosen randomly each week until Christmas .

This is the first year the Wyandotte DDA has sponsored the giveaway.

"Our hope is that this contest brings greater awareness to our small businesses in the district," Rankine said. "Shopping downtown can make a big difference in our local economy."

The first week of the giveaway went exactly as organizers hoped.

"When (the) mayor and I spoke with our winner on Saturday, she was excited because she hadn’t been to any of the other businesses that she won gift cards to," Rankine said. "This is exactly our intention–Getting people’s foot in the door who hadn’t been there before. After they see all of the wonderful things our small businesses have to offer, they’ll spread the good word."

The next giveaway will occur sometime this week. To get in on the fun, there are three simple rules:

• Follow the Wyandotte DDA on Facebook and Twitter for clues on where and when the prize will be handed out.
• Shop during that time in retail outlets downtown.
• If you’re the lucky one spotted at the right time and the right place, you win.