Downtown business types get creative - small but smart idea - it should grow.

News 100 yellowBy Pepper Parr

May 5th, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It is tough for the retail people.

They have gone through more than a month of no revenue and weeks of wondering how all this is going to work out.

The federal government has all kinds of programs and tons of money that they are throwing at almost everything. Heck the football league is looking for financial support.

City hall doesn’t have much in the way of immediate measurable support – the kind of thing that you can put into a bank account.

A small but smart initiative came out of the creative marketing people at the Burlington Downtown Business Association. Brian Dean – the Executive Director over there passes all the credit for this one back to his staff.

They offered a gift box.  They call it the #DTBURLBOX.

Burl BoxThe first is targeted at Mother’s Day. Can’t take Mom out for breakfast and you may not even be able to invite her over for breakfast.

It was a limited production – they sold out.

The plan is to roll out a different box each month.  If the BDBA use their creative juices they can come up with something targeted at any number of demographics.  The kids – 3-6, the tweens, the teens, the Dad’s, the fisherman, the golfers – almost limitless.

It will be interesting to see what they come up with.  Kudo’s for the effort.

The special gift box was seen as a way to support the downtown businesses during this difficult time. With the purchase of just one box, you are helping support multiple small businesses within our community. All proceeds go back to the vendors involved.

Each new box will be released at the beginning of the month and will be available for purchase in limited quantities on a first-come-first-served basis.

What was in the May Box?
Hand-selected items from each retailer include:

Creme de la Creme• La Crème de la Crème Creamery – 6-piece caramel chocolates
• Pure Boutique – Hairclip
• MollyCake – “The Cookie” dough (1/2 pint)
• Harmony Fine Jewellers – Jewellery cleaning kit & $25 gift certificate
• Purity Nails and Spa – Foot mask
• Joelle’s – Wish n’ Wear Bracelet
• Soapy Penguin – Facial toner, oil or cream
• The Handmade House – Soy candle or room spray
• Centro Garden – Pre de Provence soap

Total Price of Box: $75 + HST This is a retail value of $150!

The May Box was sold on a curb-side pick-up basis in downtown Burlington.

The first Gift Box was marketed primarily to the people on the Downtown e-news subscriber list.  The Gazette will tell you about the next box.

 

 

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