Neenah Wins Over Winter Challenges!
Wisconsin’s long standing reputation as the frozen tundra and consumer’s holiday financial hangover combined with the Covid pandemic is making the first quarter of 2021 an even bigger challenge than in the past.
To lift up our small businesses during that post-holiday shoulder season, we implemented a January gift certificate sale five years ago. While Downtown Neenah gift certificates are available for purchase every day, for one day each January we sell them at 20% off with a $40 for $50 sale. Business receive the full value and the difference is included as a line item in the annual marketing budget. The community has been eager to support local business and sales for this single day sale event increased 30% over 2020.
The community is also eager for something to do during the long Wisconsin winter months, so seven years ago the Warm Your Heart event was created. The crawl format event offered visitors samples and tastes of warm soups, appetizers and beverages while encouraging foot traffic, awareness and sales for businesses. Warm Your Heart was one of the final events we were able to host last year prior to the shutdowns. This year, the Warm Your Heart event has become the Sweet Heart Stroll and Shop. Keeping the comfort and safety of the guests in mind, we are reformatting the event for 2021 to include time release tickets, and individually packaged sweet treat items such as desserts and candy. The ticket includes $5 in cupid cash that guests will be able to spend that day only on any $5+ purchase at a downtown business.
