In the spirit of Small Business Saturday, Clutch MOV has teamed up with Marietta Main Street to offer a new program: Shop Small MOV. Using the hashtag #ShopSmallMOV, this passport-style incentive-based program allows shoppers in the Mid-Ohio Valley to follow the “shop local trail” to gain stamps in a passport for each purchase they make with a participating merchant. When shoppers earn enough stamps, they get to claim their prize of an exclusive long-sleeve tee with a fun design of a downtown streetscape and the words “Mid-Ohio Valley” underneath.
“I had the idea to create a ‘shop local trail’ program after visiting Kentucky a few years back and experiencing the bourbon trail,” says Cristie Thomas, Executive Director of Marietta Main Street. “The bourbon trail is a tourism experience that draws people in from all around the region, and I was actually excited to drive miles upon miles to visit the various distilleries and eventually earn my exclusive t-shirt. It may be silly, but it was fun, and it worked!”
“We know that supporting our local small businesses is vital to the livelihood of our community,” said Arnold, “Although it can be easier and sometimes more affordable to shop online, or at big-box stores, the benefits of shopping local far outweigh any challenges.”
Sarah Arnold, Owner of Clutch MOV, the Mid-Ohio Valley’s online lifestyle magazine, had a similar idea to create a program that incentivized the direct connection between shoppers and small businesses in our area.
“We know that supporting our local small businesses is vital to the livelihood of our community," said Arnold, “Although it can be easier and sometimes more affordable to shop online, or at big-box stores, the benefits of shopping local far outweigh any challenges. We are fortunate to have a rich and vibrant selection of local independent shops available to us - and the holiday season is a perfect time of year to draw attention to these business and encourage shoppers to commit to supporting our local merchants, restaurants and service providers.”
Participating merchants in the ShopSmallMOV Passport represent a range of businesses; retailers, restaurants, services, and eateries in Marietta, Belpre, and Parkersburg are included. To participate, shoppers can purchase a passport from Clutch MOV on Small Business Saturday for $10 at the Armory on Front Street in downtown Marietta. Proceeds from this program benefit Marietta Main Street’s efforts of downtown revitalization.
For more information about participating merchants in the ShopSmallMOV Passport, to see the design of the tee, or to learn more about the program, click below.
