BEVERLY — One of the two computers used to check out customers at The Quilter's Trunk in Beverly has been doubling as a voting booth.
The store at 10352 S. Western Ave. in Beverly is part of an online contest that runs through Sunday. The winner receives $2,500 and a television commercial, shop owner Katie Nathwani said.
She and her store manager Lisa Wilberding are encouraging their customers as well as neighborhood residents to cast a daily ballot either in the store or from their own computers by visiting NBC Chicago's Facebook page.
The store was in second place among the four contestants in The Hartford's Small Business Boost competition as of Tuesday morning — just 200 votes separate it from the front runner. Lakeview Kitchen & Market leads the contest that's a joint effort between the television station and The Hartford, a Connecticut-based insurance provider.
"It's a horse race," said Wilberding, a Beverly resident who helped open The Quilter's Trunk on Sept. 25.
Nathwani, also of Beverly, said the exposure from winning the contest would bring could potentially expose the quietly thriving hobby of quilting to a new audience. She added that her quilting store is the only South Side contestant in the competition.
Cheryl Watson of Auburn Gresham is a loyal customer and has voted daily since the contest was announced July 11. She described herself as a longtime sewing enthusiast, but she didn't become interested in quilting until visiting The Quilter's Trunk.
Still, Watson said her cats are "not happy," as she typically votes before feeding them in the morning. She splurged on some gourmet cat food Tuesday to make up for the inconvenience.
Finalists in the contest were judged by their ability to hire locally, source locally and give back to the community. Nathwani said all seven of the store's employees are from the area and said whenever possible the store works with local vendors.
And while most of the fabrics and other supplies are made elsewhere, The Quilter's Trunk attempts to use local printers, contractors and catering companies whenever possible. And as for community involvement, Wilberding pointed to the shop's longtime support for A New Direction, a crisis counseling center for victims of domestic abuse in Beverly as well as a recent push to support Operation Help a Hero, a veterans' group.
The store has collected 180 handmade pillowcases and 24 quilts for the charities, said Nathwani, thanking her "generous customers" for their support.
The only thing required to vote is a valid email address, and Wilberding was encouraging anyone willing to support the shop to cast a ballot with whatever email address (or addresses) they have available.
"Dig up your old college email," she said.
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