More than a dozen Lowell businesses are participating in a “Shop to Win” promotion that runs through October 15th. For every $10 customers spend at participating retailers, they receive a stamp on their Shop to Win card. Once the card is filled with ten stamps, it will be entered into a random drawing for one of two prizes: a $250 Visa Card and a $100 Visa Card.
The promotion is being spearheaded by Nicole Lintemuth, owner of downtown bookstore Bettie’s Pages. She says the idea came from a fellow indie bookstore owner who shared the suggestion in a Facebook group. “She said it was super popular, and everyone had a lot of fun,” Lintemuth explains.
There is no limit to the number of entries someone can have in the drawing, and local merchants hope it will encourage people to shop local during a year that has been difficult for many small businesses.
Both Online and Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Participating
Fourteen businesses are participating in the “Shop to Win” promotion, and they represent a mix of downtown shops and online or home-based businesses. That was done by design, Lintemuth says. “We wanted to have a few different options,” she explains.
Participating businesses include the following:
- Chimera Design
- Showboat Spirits
- Capital Nails
- Lowell Hemp Co
- Flat River Cottage
- WearForward
- Creative Party Bug
- Bettie’s Pages
- Waxy Dachshund Candle Co
- Deirdre’s Cakes & Bakes
- Dearly Loved Bridal
- Rookies Sportscards
- Lavender & Lace Boutique
- Sweet Seasons Bakery & Café
“Collaboration over competition will always help merchants of every variety,” says Deirdre Olszewsksi, owner of Deirdre’s Cakes & Bakes. “By doing this, we may introduce some local places to more customers.”
Olszewski is one of the business owners who doesn’t have a traditional storefront. For the “Shop to Win” promotion, she has postponed taking custom orders for the time being and is focusing on flash sales that are being promoted on the Deirdre’s Cakes & Bakes Facebook page and Instagram account. Among the items available for sale will be s’mores kits, pumpkin baby cakes and fall cookie decorating kits.
“It has been a hard year for us small business owners,” Olszewski says. “If we want Lowell to keep its charm that we all love so much, shopping at all of your local businesses is the first step to saying our town matters.”
The “Shop to Win” promotion started on October 1 and runs through October 15, which is also the date of the semi-annual Girls’ Night Out event. Entry postcards are available from all participating businesses.
Thank you so much for taking the time to highlight Shop To Win! We have so many cool and unique businesses in Lowell, it was really fun to work with them!