Merchants' Committee Accomplishments

Mission/Goals | Agenda | Members | Accomplishments | Projects

2005-2006 Accomplishments

 

Downtown Newark Gift Certificate Program –

Downtown Newark Gift Certificates are being sold at 3 downtown locations (Formal Affairs, Village Imports, and the Downtown Parking Office), in the Planning Department, City Hall and at Special Events.   The gift certificates are redeemable at any of the 71 participating locations.  It’s a perfect gift for any Newark resident!  

The Gift Certificates will be even more successful with the addition of on-line credit card ordering on the website.  The Committee hopes to accept on-line purchases this year.  The Downtown Newark Gift Certificate program is a Merchants’ Committee success story.  Since the inception of the program, more than $31, 000 in gift certificates have been purchased.  Of these, 65% have been redeemed.


Seasonal Newsletters –

The committee issued a summer and holiday newsletter highlighting events in downtown Newark.  The newsletter was available in downtown businesses, the Downtown Parking Office and at special events.  Selling ad space on the reverse of the page to downtown businesses funded the newsletter.   It was a great way to inform the community!
 

Holiday Ad Campaign –

The Merchants’ Committee solicited donations from area businesses for the Downtown Newark Holiday Ad Campaign.  The campaign included four billboards, theater screens, advertisements in the Newark Post, the Cecil Whig, the Rt. 40 Flier, and  in Spark.  The Committee collected $3,025 from area businesses to support the campaign, and the DNP donated $2,282.85.  The campaign, along with the Storefront Decorating Contest, the Cans for a Cause Food Drive and other Holiday events, aided in the promotion of Newark as a unique shopping opportunity.  The advertising campaign was helpful in increasing Newark’s holiday traffic.  The already busy merchant’s season was even more profitable!
 

Wonderful Winter Wednesdays (WWW) –

On Wednesday evening November 30 and each Wednesday evening in December (12/7, 12/14, 12/21), Downtown Newark featured special shopping/dining nights. The committee promoted each special night and the City provided Free Parking in Municipal Parking Lots and at Main Street meters!  Each downtown business was asked to remain open until at least 8 PM and to do something special in their store or restaurant on these evenings -- a targeted discount, seasonal refreshments, free gift wrapping, etc. – to make the customer feel special.  The committee is very pleased with the 2005 WWW promotions and with the participation of downtown businesses.  The committee plans to continue and improve upon the WWW promotions for 2006.
 

Register to Win Contest –

The Committee helped organize the second annual Wine & Dine Downtown Register to Win Contest, which was a success for the second year in a row.  The Register to Win Contest was originally suggested by the Merchants’ Committee to provide a retail spin from the restaurant event.  During the Wine & Dine event, 486 different individuals registered at 32 separate locations (29 businesses and 3 sponsor tables).  With the help of the Economic Enhancement Committee, the names and addresses of the 486 registrants were put into an excel spreadsheet and shared with participating merchants.  It’s a great opportunity for stores to create mailing lists and keep in touch with shoppers.
 

Delaworld Flier –

            The Merchant’s Committee worked with the University to involve Main Street businesses and restaurants in the month-long UD orientation process this summer.  Delaworld takes place daily from June 20th to July 19th, and involves UD’s entire incoming freshman class.   The event functions to introduce the students to the school and City, but also is a great opportunity for merchants.  The Downtown Newark flier features specials and discounts at stores and restaurants running for the duration of the Delaworld event.  This is a great way to make a good first impression on such an impressionable group!  Not to mention, these students will be here in Newark for four years, and in the future, as they return as visiting alumni; it certainly is a good idea to get their attention now!  Thank you to Bing’s Bakery; Brewed Awakenings; California Tortilla; Chapel Street Players; Christian Science Reading Room; Delaware National Bank; Gecko Fashions; Heart and Home; Home Grown Café; Hyacinths & Dragonflies; Kaplan Center; The Learning Station; Mid-Atlantic Ballet; National 5 & 10; Newark Natural Foods Co-op; Olde Tyme Antiques & Gifts; Platinum Salon & Spa; PNC Bank; Prudential Financial; Romanick Pottery; Village Imports; You’ve Been Framed; and Wireless Pro for your participation!
 

Block Captain System –

            The Committee continues to strive to increase communication and cooperation among store owners.  The Block Captain System is one way that it accomplishes this goal.  Each captain is assigned a designated area, and in charge of distributing fliers, etc. to its designated areas.  Currently, the Committee has 7 dedicated block captains:  Ms. Sasha Aber, Ms. Carol Boncelot, Mr. Dan DeFoe, Ms. Julie Keppel, Mr. Dan Lieberman, and Mr. Jim Schofield, and Mr. Andrew Haines.  With your help, the DNP is able to boast impressive participation for nearly all Downtown events!  Good work!
 

New Business Outreach –

            The Committee reaches out to new businesses via personal contact.  The Committee members introduce themselves to new businesses and invite them to attend Merchants’ Committee meetings.  At the beginning of each meeting, the Committee sets aside time to introduce themselves to new business owners and encourage them to participate in Downtown Newark activities and also, discuss any concerns brought to their attention by new and established business owners alike.

            The Committee also hopes to create a Welcome Package for new businesses to provide them the information they need to have a smooth opening in Newark and to get involved in the Partnership and participate in downtown activities.