Courtesy Photo Collect these five postcards while shopping downtown.

ALPENA — The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has released five limited edition postcards that shoppers can collect when they make purchases at participating downtown businesses during the holiday season.

There are five unique designs to be collected featuring festive scenes in Downtown Alpena and holiday messages. Some designs are more rare than others, so come downtown and shop, and try to collect all five designs this holiday season.

This promotion will run while supplies of postcards last at each of the 17 participating businesses: Chippewa Valley Mercantile & Leatherworks; Alpena Salt Spa; Soaps and Such; Alpena Vintage Company; HeartMind Center; Family Enterprise; Northern Eye/Northern Eye Optical; Traveling Ladders; Parallel 45 Books and Gifts; Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas; Rusty Petunias Marketplace; Myers’ Fashions Etc.; Olivet Book and Gift; United Way of Northeast Michigan; Hair By Ellie & Company; My Glass Wings; and Emery Enterprises.

“The purpose of this promotion is to encourage shopping downtown in a fun and festive way,” said DDA Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Kingsli Kraft. “A lot of people may not be able to travel to see family during the holidays this year, and so this promotion is also a way for people to send a little bit of Alpena and a little bit of home to their relatives this year.

“Our theme for downtown this holiday season across our promotions is finding wonder in the simple things and the small moments, and sending a beautiful postcard to a relative is a great way to spread a little wonder and holiday cheer,” Kraft added.

For more information, call 989-356-6422 or email downtownalpenami@gmail.com.