You may receive a free gift card at Algonquin Commons
There are some little random acts of kindness happening at Algonquin Commons along the Randall Road corridor this month, and they involve free gift cards.
The mall is hosting a Share the Love promotion this month.
If you're shopping at the mall, you could be one of the recipients.
At random times throughout February, and to random people, employees are handing out $50 in gift cards to the mall.
So, you may be shopping for spring clothes, wondering how much you can afford to buy, and someone might come up to you and tell you you've won a $50 gift card to Algonquin Commons.
Once the surprised shoppers are over their excitement at the free gift card, they learn there is a little more fun to be had.
The shopper who got the $50 gift card is then asked to give out another $25 gift card - supplied by the mall - to another random mall shopper.
The giveaway is taking shoppers at Algonquin Commons by surprised, said Wendy Schifferer, of Gilmore Marketing Concepts Inc., which does marketing for Algonquin Commons.
"The response and reactions have been great," she said. "They are surprised and excited to receive the gift card and think it is so fun that they then get to make someone else's day."
So far, there have been two surprise giveaways this February. There will be two more each week throughout the rest of the month, said Kim Gilmore, also of Gilmore Marketing Concepts, Inc.
Both the original recipients, and the ones they've given the gift cards to have been pleasantly surprised, said Kim Gilmore, also of Gilmore Marketing.
In one case, the two even hugged each other they were so happy, she said.
Stepping out:
One spot you won't be able to shop at much longer at Algonquin Commons is the Stride Rite children's shoe store.
The store is closing, and leaving the Algonquin Commons mall. Currently, the store is having 50 percent off sales.
There is another Stride Rite location in Geneva at 21 N. Fourth St.
Learn the techniques:
The Williams-Sonoma along Randall Road in Geneva hosts cooking classes each month for grown-ups and for kids.
The theme is always different, and some times the classes are free, and some times they cost money.
For example, kids recently learned to stir-fry one weekend, and to make French Madeleines - a popular sponge pastry, on another weekend.
On Sunday, Feb. 28, the store at 322 Commons Drive will be hosting a Thai Cooking Techniques class for adults.
In the class, you'll learn to make classic pad thai. You'll also learn to prepare lettuce cups filled with stir-fry chicken.
The classes are popular and fill up quickly.
The schedule is not out yet for March, but if you're interested in signing up for one of the classes, you'll want to call the Randall Road store at (630) 262-8390.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.