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Coos Bay merchants host holiday preview
By Nate Traylor, Staff Writer
Friday, November 20, 2009 | No comments posted.
COOS BAY — Shop locally.
That’s the message from city officials and the Coos Bay Downtown Association as the holiday shopping season kicks into gear today and Saturday.
In an effort to keep dollars from bleeding out of the community, the city gave the Downtown Association $30,000 to launch an advertising campaign imploring the public to spend its money at home. The message will be put to the test today, as merchants entice customers with promises of cookies, refreshments and door prizes to ring in the season.
Cindi Miller, president of the downtown association, said the campaign takes a cue from 3/50 Project, a sort of grassroots stimulus act that has taken off nationally and has sparked much publicity. The project touts a simple economic recovery plan: Spend $50 a month for the next three months at three locally-owned businesses. (That’s $50 a month total. Not $150.) Out of every $100 spent, $68 stays in the community.
“That’s a really good thing for people to think about as we’re going into the holidays,” Miller said.
Downtown merchant Beth Clarkson hopes the message resonates with shoppers. She is one of about two dozen business owners participating in the Holiday Open Houses event this weekend.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that when they spend $50 locally, it sends a ripple effect throughout the community,” said Clarkson, owner of Checkerberry’s Flowers & Gifts.
She has participated in the downtown holiday event for more than five years. It started small, with just her shop and several neighboring businesses dressing up their stores and offering goodies and specials. Participation has grown considerably since.
“This is the biggest it’s been,” she said.
This year’s two-day event may get a boost with added marketing muscle from the Downtown Association. Customers are encouraged to pick up a map at participating businesses to guide them through an open house journey, which isn’t limited to downtown. Businesses such as ORCOAST Music and Empire Mercantile in the Empire area also are included.
Leaf’s Tree House, a downtown antiques store, will be collecting nonperishable food items from customers to donate to local food banks. Those that donate will be entered to win a gift basket.
Many business owners will be doing something special like that this weekend.
“This is the good time of year,” Clarkson said. “We’re excited for the holidays.”
That’s the message from city officials and the Coos Bay Downtown Association as the holiday shopping season kicks into gear today and Saturday.
In an effort to keep dollars from bleeding out of the community, the city gave the Downtown Association $30,000 to launch an advertising campaign imploring the public to spend its money at home. The message will be put to the test today, as merchants entice customers with promises of cookies, refreshments and door prizes to ring in the season.
Cindi Miller, president of the downtown association, said the campaign takes a cue from 3/50 Project, a sort of grassroots stimulus act that has taken off nationally and has sparked much publicity. The project touts a simple economic recovery plan: Spend $50 a month for the next three months at three locally-owned businesses. (That’s $50 a month total. Not $150.) Out of every $100 spent, $68 stays in the community.
“That’s a really good thing for people to think about as we’re going into the holidays,” Miller said.
Downtown merchant Beth Clarkson hopes the message resonates with shoppers. She is one of about two dozen business owners participating in the Holiday Open Houses event this weekend.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that when they spend $50 locally, it sends a ripple effect throughout the community,” said Clarkson, owner of Checkerberry’s Flowers & Gifts.
She has participated in the downtown holiday event for more than five years. It started small, with just her shop and several neighboring businesses dressing up their stores and offering goodies and specials. Participation has grown considerably since.
“This is the biggest it’s been,” she said.
This year’s two-day event may get a boost with added marketing muscle from the Downtown Association. Customers are encouraged to pick up a map at participating businesses to guide them through an open house journey, which isn’t limited to downtown. Businesses such as ORCOAST Music and Empire Mercantile in the Empire area also are included.
Leaf’s Tree House, a downtown antiques store, will be collecting nonperishable food items from customers to donate to local food banks. Those that donate will be entered to win a gift basket.
Many business owners will be doing something special like that this weekend.
“This is the good time of year,” Clarkson said. “We’re excited for the holidays.”
Open Houses
What:< Coos Bay merchants will offer treats and specials in a festive atmosphere. Grab a map at participating businesses for a self-guided open house, holiday shopping tour.
When:< Today and Saturday.
Where:< Downtown and in Empire.
On the Web:< http://www.the350project.net.
What:< Coos Bay merchants will offer treats and specials in a festive atmosphere. Grab a map at participating businesses for a self-guided open house, holiday shopping tour.
When:< Today and Saturday.
Where:< Downtown and in Empire.
On the Web:< http://www.the350project.net.
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