MONROE — Main Street Monroe, which is recognized by American Express as an official neighborhood champion, will have another retail promotion over the holidays to encourage people to shop and explore the downtown historic district. The promotion is simple. Spend at least $10 at a participating store or make a donation in participating stores to the Green County Food Pantry and receive a stamp.
Collection areas for donations will be available at each business. Thirty-six stores will be participating this year. That includes Busy Bee Floral and Gift which opened last year as Main Street’s pop up shop, Bliss Salon, as well as Baumgartner’s, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern, Zodica Perfumery, Burington Shoes, and Frame ‘n Color.
The promotion, which starts two weeks before Black Friday, will go through the end of the year. Main Street Monroe’s executive director, Jordan Nordby, spoke about the trend this year for people to start shopping earlier than normal for the holidays.
“What we do is based on feedback we receive from the shops in the district. People are shopping earlier for the holidays. That’s why we’ve moved up the promotion by two weeks and extended it by another two weeks,” Nordby said. He also highlighted the increased number of participating stores and diversity of businesses. “Shop local includes retail and service, and I’m really excited that we can highlight the wide variety of options in the district. From getting brunch or dinner to getting your nails done and buying home goods. It’s all going to be ways for you to shop local and win.”
All businesses that will be having a LIVE! virtual shopping night with Main Street are signed up for the promotion.
“It’s another opportunity to safely shop and get a bit of a head start on Christmas shopping,” Nordby said.
Nordby also stressed the efforts being taken to keep everyone safe during the pandemic and noted that unlike shopping centers or big box retailers, even with a coordinated retail night, stores will not be beyond capacity.
“It’s totally normal to have only five or six people shopping in JoAnne’s or the Toy Haus. There’s plenty of room to social distance.” Nordby said. He also emphasized that unlike national retailers, the locally owned businesses in downtown Monroe have their shelves stocked. “We’ve been prepping for the holiday season all year.”
Once a participant has collected at least 10 stamps, he or she will be entered into weekly drawings. Those entered in weekly drawings will also qualify for grand prize giveaways. Grand Prize winners will receive Main Street gift certificates totaling $250, $250, and $500 which may be used at any of the participating stores. Last year, $2,500 was given away as part of the promotion. Stamps may be collected all eight weeks the program is running. Individuals may also submit multiple entries.
More details, including lists of all merchants within the Main Street district can be found at mainstreetmonroe.org.
