The receipts kept rolling in on Saturday morning: $36.74, $47.43, $600, then up into the thousands.

During a two-hour shopping spree, about two dozen shoppers spent their dollars on what for the most part turned out to be Christmas gifts.

This attempt to stimulate the local economy was part of the first Buy Local Bowl organized by the Santa Fe Business Alliance, Mayor David Coss and Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe. Shoppers arrived at the Sanbusco Market Center by 10 a.m., split up as members of either Team Coss or Team Egolf, then walked and bought for two hours, slowly crossing out names on their Christmas list along the way.

The Buy Local Bowl was a response to Gov. Bill Richardson's statewide "$25 2 MainStreet" campaign that asks New Mexicans to spend $25 in two different stores during the month of December — an action that could have a $27 million economic impact. For every $100 spent in local businesses, $68 remain in the state through taxes and payroll, compared to $43 when shoppers purchase at chain stores, the governor said.

"I know that this is going (to be a) tough holiday season for many New Mexico families who are feeling the financial pinch," Richardson said in a statement when he launched the campaign. "But I also believe that many New Mexicans will be spending at least $50 on gifts and meals this holiday season. So I am asking them to spend that money to support local businesses and invest in their communities."

That's why Egolf got the ball rolling. He got in touch with the Santa Fe Business Alliance about the idea, and Coss got on board immediately. After all, the mayor said, he still has Christmas shopping to do.

On Saturday, Carole Rose, Coss' wife, also shopped; but she admitted at the end of the two-hour challenge that shopping "is a process" and that she still needed to spend more time in stores. But both showed receipts that rang close to $500.

"This is a competition, but we're going to have fun," Coss said. "This year it is very important that we shop locally, to keep Santa Fe's economy strong."

Egolf said he had eight gifts to buy: Two presents for a white elephant party, toys for his children and a survival tool kit for his sister, who is moving to Los Angeles.

"Let's give our locals an economic stimulus today," Egolf announced to his teammates and the rest of the participants.

By the end of the two hours, when Egolf returned to the Sanbusco Center to meet up with his teammates, his receipts totaled nearly $1,200. That wasn't counting the $37 parking ticket he'd unexpectedly acquired.

"The mayor tried to sabotage me!" Egolf announced, prompting laughter from the crowd.

For business owners such as Gordon Lawrie, owner of Eidos Contemporary Jewelry, the Buy Local Bowl was a morale boost.

"I think this is what local government is all about," said Lawrie, who has been in business for 11 years, seven of those in the Sanbusco Market Center. "The economic boost is going to come from local businesses, not only from the big stores."

Kent Little, owner of Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works, agreed. Since the economy spiraled downward, sales have been slow, he said. "It means more money in our community. I appreciate the city's support," Little said.

Residents such as Larry Krauss decided to spend his Saturday morning shopping for a television console. After driving to five furniture stores, he found his piece at Camino Real Imports.

Laura Holt arrived at the center and joined Team Egolf. Her goal was to buy stocking stuffers for her daughter and husband, so she visited Collected Works Bookstore and Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works.

Jennifer and Kris Rose, on their end, decided to shop for their pet, for some friends and for each other.

Participants were not restricted to the Sanbusco Market Center; the Santa Fe Business Alliance has 500 members, so the entire city was open game, said Vicki Pozzebon, Santa Fe Business Alliance's executive director. Next year's bowl will be on Black Friday, she said.

Total results rang up at $2,685.91 for Team Egolf and $2,560.34 for Team Coss. Among much laughter and camaraderie, both captains agreed that "the real winners are the local businesses."

Contact Sandra Baltazar Martínez at 986-3062 or smartinez@sfnewmexican.com.