Ashley HomeStore Hosts Chamber Networking Event, Free Mattress Drawing

Ashley HomeStore welcomed the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce to its Lincoln Square location at 901 W. Morton Ave. for a Business After Hours event on Nov. 5, 2025. The gathering ran from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., with door prize registration open to attendees and a scheduled drawing for a free Nectar mattress at 6 p.m. The chamber invited both its members and the general public to attend for networking, giveaways, and an opportunity to learn more about the store and its products.

The event combined promotional activity with community engagement, bringing chamber members and local consumers into a brick and mortar retail setting during late afternoon business hours. For Ashley HomeStore the event functioned as a local marketing effort and customer outreach opportunity, with door prize registration serving both as an incentive to visit and as a mechanism to collect contact information for follow up. For the chamber, the gathering reinforced its role as a convener of business contacts and a promoter of area commerce.

For Morgan County residents, the immediate benefits were tangible. Attendees could enter the mattress drawing, pick up giveaways, and meet other professionals and business owners from the Jacksonville area in a low pressure environment. Events like this also help small businesses and larger retailers alike to build local brand recognition and to tap into in person purchasing and referral opportunities that online platforms do not fully replicate.

Viewed in a broader economic context, Business After Hours events remain a staple of local economic development because they help sustain foot traffic and foster business networks. Retailers in the furniture and bedding sectors face strong competition from online sellers, and community based promotions can strengthen local ties that translate into repeat customers. Chambers of commerce use these events to bolster visibility for members and to seed collaborations that may support hiring, supply chain relationships, and joint promotions.

The November event at the Lincoln Square Ashley HomeStore exemplified these functions, combining a direct consumer incentive, a chance for professional networking, and a public introduction to the store s offerings. Chamber members and local residents were encouraged to attend and to use similar gatherings to maintain business contacts and to stay informed about retail and service options in Jacksonville and throughout Morgan County.