Group finds a niche for businesses

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by CAROL HARVAT Seventh-graders Ian Feaster and Shawn Skates and sixth-grader Juwan Harmon practice wrapping a gift on the deck of Bilvil, a beaches cafe, on Oct. 23 during the North Beach Loop's "Ladies Night in North Beach: Christmas in October" event. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

While some businesses feel they are in competition with each other, North Beach businesses rallied together this past year to plan events, create a brochure and buy advertisements as a co-op to promote businesses in town.

"We found out that there's strength in numbers," said Lisa Payne, coordinator of the North Beach Loop business group.

Last October when the economy was beginning its downward spiral, Payne said she approached the owner of Bay Wine and Spirits and they "walked around one Sunday afternoon to talk with businesses" about the idea of coming together to purchase ads as a co-op.

The businesses were very receptive, said Payne, who owns SeaScapes Home Accents & Gifts. The group grew as businesses began meeting, creating a mission statement and exchanging ideas. They decided to name the group North Beach Loop last spring realizing that most of the participating businesses were located in the block loop between 5th and 7th streets, she said.

"I think it's definitely helped the businesses in North Beach. What's really nice is all the businesses are working together," said Ann Ashcraft, owner of Coffee, Tea and Whimsey.

"It's really businesses communicating with each other," Payne said.

A colored brochure called the "Passport" is the group's main marketing tool. The passport includes a map locating businesses, business card ads and coupons, and it has been placed in welcome centers around the state, the town hall and at town businesses.

The North Beach Loop's mission is to promote businesses in town and the town of North Beach while giving back to the surrounding community, Payne said.

On Friday night Oct. 23, the group hosted a "Ladies Night in North Beach: Christmas in October" where businesses offered discounts, refreshments and stayed open until 9 p.m. During several Friday night farmers' markets, businesses also extended their hours.

"People are truly seeming to enjoy themselves," Ashcraft said of the Friday night shoppers.

The Old Town Candy Company gave out samples of its peanut butter chocolate fudge and Boardwalk Crunch, a chocolate with bits of pretzel and marshmallow and gave a 15-percent discount on all candy while offering a map of businesses in the group. Some of the businesses handed out a raffle card that needed to be punched at five different businesses in order to be included in a drawing for a gift basket. It makes people visit businesses they would not normally visit, and provides an opportunity for them and the businesses, Ashcraft said.

Along with giving customers discounts and refreshments, the group gave back by setting up areas in businesses for members of the Bayside Boys & Girls Club members to wrap gifts for donations and providing spots for the Rotary Club of Northern Calvert to sell silk scarves and high-quality soaps as a fundraiser.

"We been tying in the [Bayside] Boys & Girls Clubs," Payne said.

Members of the Bayside club were wrapping gifts on the porch at Coffee, Tea and Whimsey, which gave out samples of a lemon bar dessert and apple spice bread, both of which could be purchased in the shop.

"I think they were excited to participate," said Ashcraft of the kids waiting to wrap items being purchased as gifts.

"We were very happy of the turnout," sales person Susan Fournier said, but added, "This one was a little slower than usual."

At first, the North Beach Loop only included retail businesses, but their membership has grown to include restaurants and service businesses, now with all but three businesses in town participating, Payne said.

To be a member, the business needs to be in North Beach and "you have to have a store front," she said.

This past summer, the group added partners — businesses that are not located in town — but have agreed to support North Beach businesses and can be included in co-op advertisement.

The Inn at Herrington Harbour in Rose Haven and a new limousine service partnered with the group this past summer to promote businesses in the loop.

Payne, who is also a member of Bay Business Group (BBG), said the Loop is not in competition with BBG; instead members are finding a niche to promote businesses in North Beach.

"We localized, we're not looking to expand" unless there's a new business in town, she added.

charvat@somdnews.com

If you want to go

The North Beach Loop, a business group, has planned special "Christmas" and ladies night shopping evenings for Fridays on Nov. 20 and Dec. 11 from 5 to 9 p.m. Customers may create a "wish list" or place items on lay-away at participating businesses and men are invited to shop as well.