Hampshire's own Prairie View Farm Market a quarterfinalist for the 2014 Independent Small Business Award

Hampshire, IL - The national small business movement Independent We Stand announces the quarterfinalists, including Prairie View Farm Market of Hampshire, for the 2014 Independent We Stand Independent Small Business of the Year Award. This announcement precedes Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29, encouraging holiday shoppers to support these businesses; instead of big boxes and national chains.

Prairie View is a retail garden center and farm market that designs, grows, and sells beautiful hanging baskets and container gardens. They also offer a wide selection of annuals, perennials, and shrubs along with locally grown vegetables and fresh fruit in the summer and fall months.

"Although it may seem cliché, we would not be here today if it were not for the support of our community. You can grow the best flowers in town but if you don't treat your customers right you will have no one to sell them to. One of our customers nominated us for this award so that makes me feel like we are doing something right in that department. I am so proud of my staff without their hard work and dedication to serving our customers this would not even be possible," states Cheryl Linnemann, owner of Prairie View Farm Market.

"Independently owned businesses reinvest in their local economies at a much higher rate than big-box stores," says Bill Brunelle, founder of Independent We Stand. "This year's quarterfinalists are a great representation of independent businesses across the country, and this award is our way of recognizing these businesses for their outstanding efforts within the communities they serve."

Voting is now underway at www.IndieBizAward.com through Dec. 14. Voters may visit the website to cast one vote each day.

For more information about Prairie View Farm Market, go to www.prairieviewfarmmarket.com.