The Chamber has launched a new monthly Shop & Schmooze series of events to be held at chamber-member businesses in the Newton Needham area.

Each event is designed to spotlight a different local retailer while also providing an opportunity for networking.

The inaugural Shop & Schmooze event was held at the Barn Family Shoe Store in West Newton last month. On Dec. 16, the series moves to the Craft Beer Cellar in Newtonville, 4-6 p.m. All Shop & Schmooze events are free, open to all and include light refreshments.

“Shopping locally helps keep our community robust and vibrant,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “Combining a ‘Shop Local’ event with a networking opportunity is designed to help strengthen the ties among our businesses and build relationships that make our community unique and appealing.”

“We salute the Newton-Needham Chamber for its commitment to supporting local merchants,” said Joe Carrigan, president of The Barn Family Shoe Store, which has been operation since 1948.

Shop & Schmooze events are just one element in the Chamber’s ongoing effort to promote shopping, dining and banking locally. Programming is directed in consultation with the Chamber’s Shop Local Committee, which includes local retailers, bankers, marketers and the economic development directors from both communities.

“Shopping locally generates revenue for our schools, our police, our fire departments and our roads,” Reibman said. “It helps create jobs for our friends, our neighbors and our kids. It encourages entrepreneurship. And it saves us gas, reducing our carbon footprint. As a chamber, nothing could be more central to our mission.”

Dates and locations for 2016 “Shop and Schmooze” events will be announced soon.

If you operate a local retail store and would like to be considered for the program contact Katherine Herer at 617-916-9064.