Using Downtown Events to Market Your Business

Turn the ‘disruption’ from local downtown events like Alive After Five, Hog
Happenin and Apple Festival to your advantage by using these tips to increase
your customer base

Encourage customers to enter a drawing for a door prize.

Once customers have filled out the entry card, you can use the information to send out promotional mailings

Give out “bounce back” coupons.
These coupons have an expiration date within a short time frame allowing you to determine the success of the event.

Wash windows and open doors; sweep the curb and walkways directly in front of your building

Dress up window displays and merchandising with the events theme

Create a fun atmosphere in your store by creating activity. Event patrons are more likely to visit a busy store.

Offer to hold customers’ purchases so they will not have to carry the bags around all day.

Have a sidewalk sale

Giveaway samples or promotional items

The Fantastic Shakers Help Lincolnton Welcome the Summertime

The 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series will kick off Thursday, May 28 with the music of Lincolnton's own Fantastic Shakers! Presented by First Federal Bank, the Fantastic Shakers are guaranteed to put on a great show, offering entertainment and beach music on East Main Street. The show is free and will keep you dancing from 6 to 9 PM. There will be food vendors, open local restaurants, and a beer garden, so coolers are not allowed, but lawn chairs are encouraged. For furhter information, contact Lincolnton Business and Community Development at 704-736-8915.

Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In May 3

The semi-annual Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In, hosted by the Lincolnton Lions Club and the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton, will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2009, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Cars and trucks produced in or before 1974 are welcome. Special guest "Radical Ronnie" Proctor will have his 1967 Super Chevy II at the event.

A $2 flag donation is requested. Please, no cars before 12:30 p.m.

United Way & DDA Launch Volunteer Lincolnton

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton (DDA) and United Way of Lincoln County have joined forces in launching Volunteer Lincolnton, a community-wide volunteer center, in coordination with National Volunteer Week.

The center will have two distinct presences - one in the offices of United Way of Lincoln County, located at 206 East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton, the other online at www.volunteerlincolnton.blogspot.com. Positions will be posted on the Web site with information for interested volunteers to contact the non-profit groups directly; however, potential volunteers may also complete an application in-person at the volunteer center to be matched with organizations whose needs most directly correlate with the applicants' skills and interests.

Positions are available with a variety of organizations, including Helping Hands Health Clinic, Girl Scouts of the Piedmont Council, and A Place to Grow, and range from clerical work to yard work.

If you are interested in volunteering or having your volunteer opportunities listed, visit www.volunteerlincolnton.blogspot.com.

Hog Happenin' Featured in Every Day with Rachael Ray

Lincolnton's own Hog Happenin' BBQ & Bike Fest is featured in the May edition of Every Day with Rachael Ray magazine. Turn to the "Festivals" feature toward the back to see what Every Day with Rachael Ray editors chose to highlight about Hog Happenin' and several businesses in Lincolnton.

Farmers Market Opening Day April 18

The downtown Lincolnton location of the Lincoln County Farmers Market is set to open Saturday, April 18th, at 7:00 a.m. The NC Cooperative Extension expects to see onions, lettuce, sweet potatoes, eggs, bedding plants, baked goods, goat's milk products, and more on Opening Day.

The Farmers Market is located at 225 West Water Street, in downtown Lincolnton. For more information, visit Lincoln Fresh Finds or call the Cooperative Extension at (704) 736-8452.

Gala Photos Now Online

Photos from the Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards at Wampum Landmark Tavern are now available online. To access the photos click here, or visit www.tindallsphotography.com and click on "view your photos now." The event is labeled as "Wampum Landmark Tavern DDA Gala 2009."

DDA would like to thank Tindall's Professional Photography for documenting the event. If you are interested in obtaining a photo from the event, please contact the studio directly at (704) 748-1998.

1st Annual Assault on Hog Hill Bicycle Ride

The inaugural Assault on Hog Hill Bicycle Ride is slated for April 25, 2009. The event, to benefit Hesed House of Hope, will include activities for the entire family.

The 10-mile Family Fun Ride, and 25- and 50-mile Assault Rides will begin at Betty Ross Park, 800 Madison Street, at 9:00 a.m. Routes can be viewed here. Helmets are required to ride. The $25 entry fee includes a Hog Hill T-shirt, post-ride picnic, and opportunities to win door prizes.

For the little ones, organizers will hold a Hog Hill Tot Ride from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the Assault Ride Start/Finish line. The entry fee is $10 and includes a free prize. The tots will ride a course around Betty Ross Park parking lot in a stroller, wagon, tricycle, or bicycle with training wheels. Helmets are required. All tots registered for the ride will be eligible to win a kid's bike.

All rides will start and finish at Betty Ross Park. For more information, visit www.hesed-lincoln.org or www.rideabike.com. To register online visit www.pre-reg.com, or to register in person stop by Ride A Bike Bicycle Shop, 116 NE Court Square, downtown Lincolnton. Packet pick-up and on-site registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, April 25th, at Betty Ross Park.

Heafner/Williams Vocal Competition March 28-29

The Lincoln Cultural Center presents the 2009 Heafner/Williams Vocal Competition, to be held in the Timken Performance Hall in the Lincoln Cultural Center. Semifinals for the competition begin Saturday, March 28th at 2pm.

On Sunday, March 29th, the final round begins at 3 pm. This will be followed immediately (approximately 4 pm) by a mini – concert presenting the 2008 winner, Marvin Kehler. Mr. Kehler will perform while the judges deliberate. Immediately following the concert, the 2009 prizes will be announced and awarded.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.heafnerwilliamsvocalcompetition.com or call 704-732-9055.

12th Annual Mugathon to Benefit Humane Society

Join Rising Sun Pottery as it celebrates its 12th Annual Mugathon to benefit the Humane Society of Lincoln County.

"Mugs for Mutts" and "Cups for Cats" will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 5pm at Rising Sun Pottery, 209 South Academy Street in downtown Lincolnton. The event will feature more than 200 dishwasher and microwave safe mugs and cups of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Mug/cup cost is $10 and includes your choice of beverage and homemade dessert. The Humane Society of Lincoln County will receive 50% of gross proceeds from the event.

Downtown Celebrates at Wampum Landmark Tavern

Wampum Landmark Tavern, formerly Lincoln Drugs, was the place to be last Friday night as it hosted the Downtown Development Association's 2009 Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards.

When DDA found that its annual gala was scheduled in conflict with the 2009 ACC basketball tournament, it seized the opportunity to combine the two occasions into one event. The organization staged 132 East Main Street as a sports bar for the one-night-only event, transforming the once vacant building into Wampum's - a classic tavern located in the heart of downtown Lincolnton. The facility was staged in accordance with architectural plans developed for reconstructing the space as a restaurant and bar.

The festivities began at 10:00 Friday morning with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting hosted by the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce. The doors to Wampum's officially opened at 6:00 Friday evening for the Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards.

Stephen Starnes, Chair of the DDA Board of Directors, presented the following awards on behalf of the organization:

Civic Leadership Award - Freedom Church
Business Leadership Award - Griffin Insurance Agency
Volunteer Leadership Award - Pete DeGregory
Downtown Cityscape Award - David and Carol Self
Downtown Renaissance Award - 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering
DDA Advocate Award - Lincolnton Mayor & City Council
Main Street Champion - Buddy Collins
Pass the Torch Award - Stacy Bryant
Pass the Torch Award - John Dancoff
Pass the Torch Award - Barry Matherly
Pass the Torch Award - Alex Patton
Outgoing DDA Board Chair - Buddy Collins

Starnes also presented the following Milestone Awards, honoring significant periods of entrepreneurial success in downtown Lincolnton:

B&L Formal Wear - 5 years
Allstate Insurance - 10 years
CitiFinancial - 10 years
Eddie Sigmon & Associates, Inc. - 10 years
Raymond James Financial Services - 10 years
ABC Tax Services - 20 years
North State Books - 20 years
Techniques Styling Salon - 20 years
House of Trophies & Engraving/Classic Art & Framing - 25 years
Lighthouse Christian Book Store - 35 years
Ledford Upholstery - 40 years
Leonard Wealth Planning - 50 years

Karen Cook, Cathy Davis, and Mike Milholland were also present on behalf of the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse to accept a donation of $1,111, which was collected in coordination with the 2008 Hog Happenin' Poker Run.

After the presentation of the awards, attendees enjoyed dinner, catered by Court Street Grille, and then all eyes turned to the six big-screens to watch Wake Forest take on Maryland.

DDA would like to thank its partners for helping to make the event possible: Aaron's Rents, First Federal Savings Bank, Tindall's Professional Photography, Lowe's, Servpro of Lincoln & North Gaston, Charter Communications, Court Street Grille, Hoke Signs & Graphic Design, Wal-Mart of Lincolnton, and - of course - the DDA volunteers who contributed many unique talents and countless hours to the transformation of Wampum's: Buddy Collins, Emma Engster, Susan Flynn, Crystal Gettys, Marsha Jordan, Max Jordan, Tammy Konrad, Vera Lanier, Wanda Milholland, Ken Morris, Brad Rivers, Shirley Smith, and Brad Whitley.

Art Saturdays at the Lincoln Cultural Center

The Arts Council of Lincoln County will be offering art classes on Saturdays at the Lincoln Cultural Center. Classes will be approximately two hours in length and topics will include basic sketching, basic beading, art tag-making, intro to watercolors, ear-ring making and much more. For more information or if you would like to teach a class, please contact the Arts Council of Lincoln County at (704) 732-9044.

Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards SOLD OUT

Spaces are sold out for the Downtown Development Association's Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards at Wampum Landmark Tavern this Friday night. If you can't make the gala, the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 13th. Please RSVP to the Chamber for the grand opening.

"What's going on at the old Lincoln Drug building?"

....A question that we have heard quite a bit in the past couple of weeks. It is now time to end the suspense....the Downtown Development Association is staging 132 East Main Street (formerly Lincoln Drugs) as a sports bar for the 2009 Main Street Gala & Better Downtown Awards.

DDA is working around the clock to transform the space into Wampum Landmark Tavern for the one-night-only event that is scheduled for March 13th to coincide with the ACC Basketball Tournament. Everyone is invited to attend; however, you must RSVP to DDA to reserve your spot on the guest list. Casual attire is suggested - ACC team colors optional.

A $25 per person cover charge will include admittance to the gala and awards ceremony, dinner catered by Court Street Grille, and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Six large screen TVs will broadcast the ACC tournament so you don't miss any of the action! Doors will open at 6:00 p.m.

This year's gala would not be possible without help from: Aaron's; Charter Communications; Court Street Grille; First Federal Savings Bank; Hoke Signs; Lowe's; SERVPRO of Lincoln/N. Gaston; and - of course - a group of dedicated DDA Volunteers.

If you are interested in attending the gala or learning more about Wampum's, call (704) 736-8915 or visit wampumtavern.blogspot.com.

Treasures on Main Set to Open Thursday

Downtown Lincolnton's newest addition, Treasures on Main, is scheduled to officially open its doors this Thursday, February 26, at 10:00 a.m.

Located at 119 East Main Street, Treasures on Main is a unique shopping experience offering home accessories, depression glass, antiques, antique furniture, local arts and crafts, and pottery, to name a few.

Booth rental and consignment spaces are still available; if interested see Paul or Jennifer Byrd at the shop.

Financial Fitness Fair Brings Options for Consumers

Local financial experts will be fielding questions at the Financial Fitness Fair on March 5th. In response to economic uncertainty, NC Cooperative Extension Service is organizing this event to connect the public with financial service providers and agencies that provide support during challenging economic times.

“Anyone who wants to do more with their money should come,” says Leigh Guth, Cooperative Extension agent. “Many people are rethinking their investment and savings strategies, while others are trying to prepare for unemployment.”

Experts will also be talking about foreclosure prevention and how to get youth started on a healthy financial path in addition to investment strategies in today’s market.

Financial information booths will be open from 2:00pm until 8:00pm at the James Warren Citizen Center, 115 West Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. Exhibitors include banks, investment advisors, insurance companies, mortgage brokers, county agencies, and financial and family counselors.

Educational seminars will occur hourly and include:
3pm Energy Conservation for the Home Jim Burke, Extension
Stress Management Vickie Johnson, Pathways
4pm Small Business Survival Brad Rivers, Gaston College
Reverse Mortgage Jeff Creed, Wells Fargo
5pm Pulse of the Market Jody Rhyne, Rhyne Financial
6pm Savvy Shopping Melinda Houser, Extension
Building a Financial Home Chris Rhyne, Rhyne Financial
Insurance Basics Neil Rhyne, Watson Insurance
7pm Money Matters for Youth Tammy Scruggs, 5/3 Bank
Foreclosure Prevention Cher Lineberger – mortgage broker
Scott Schneider – Consumer Credit Counseling

The Financial Fitness Fair is free and open to the public and sponsored by NC Cooperative Extension, Lincoln County Partnership for Health, and Senior Health Information Program (SHIIP). For an updated schedule or more information check http://lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu . For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8461.

"The Price is Right for Fighting Child Abuse" This Friday

The Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse (LCCACA) will be holding its 3rd Annual "The Price is Right for Fighting Child Abuse" at the James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 West Main Street, on Saturday February 28.

Mike Milholland's alter-ego, Mob Marker, will host the event. In addition to classic The Price is Right games, fabulous prizes and the Showcase Showdown, the event will also feature a 50/50 drawing and other entertainment. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. but doors open at 5:30 p.m. Come early for dinner in the upstairs cafe, pre-show entertainment and a silent auction and stay late for a live auction after the show.

Tickes are $10 and can be purchased from Nationwide Insurance, Caremor Family Pharmacy, WoodMill Winery, Carolina Furniture Mart, Miller Sherrill Blake Eagle CPA PA, or by calling Kathy Davis at (704) 740-8313 or Karen Cook at (704) 736-1155.

Proceeds from the event will benefit LCCACA. For more information, call (704) 736-8456 or email imape4kids@charterinternet.com.

Buddy Collins Honored as Main Street Champion

(L to R): Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Collins, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson. Photo by Garry E. Hodges.


On Thursday, January 29, 2009, Buddy Collins was honored as a 2008 Main Street Champion at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Statesville, NC. Collins was selected for this special recognition by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and the North Carolina Main Street Center in appreciation of his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 35 other communities, he received a certificate commemorating his designation, presented by NC Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts, and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham.

"Main Street Champions are the people who take on the early tasks, the pioneers who go where others often fear to tread, who step forward when others are stepping back, who make the tough calls and those risky investments. They embody the term 'community leader,' and they do this because they love their communities. There would be no Main Street successes without Main Street Champions," said Parham.

In nominating Collins for the honor, DDA testified to his volunteer efforts and leadership in the organization, having served as 2007 Chair of the Economic Restructuring Work Group and 2008 Chair of the Board of Directors. Collins' extensive volunteer record includes his work as Barbeque Coordinator of the Lincolnton Hog Happenin', help with events including the Main Street Gala and SWAT Team projects, and the organization of his signature event, the VIP Fish Fry. Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation.

The North Carolina Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce's Division of Community Assistance.

DDA of Lincolnton Receives Three NC Main Street Awards

(L to R): Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Collins, Brinson, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson. Photo by Garry E. Hodges.

The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton has been honored with three 2008 Main Street Awards from the North Carolina Main Street Center. The awards were presented at the Annual North Carolina Main Street Awards Dinner, held in Statesville, NC on January 29, 2009. Awards were presented in 13 categories representing each area of the Main Street Four Point Approach: Organization, Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotion. Buddy Collins Past-Chair of DDA and Main Street Champion, and Lynn Brinson, Business & Community Development Assistant, accepted the awards for Best Innovation, Best Downtown Special Event and Best Promotional Item: Graphics on behalf of the organization. NC Secretary of Commerce J. Keith Crisco, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleveland Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Teresa Watts and Office of Urban Development Director Liz Parham presented the awards.

"High-tech Hobnobbing: Downtown Lincolnton's Social Networking Initiative" was recognized with the award for Best Innovation. The project involved creating profiles on various social networking sites, including Facebook (visit Hog Happenin' on Facebook here), MySpace, and BikerOrNot.com; posting to Craigslist; establishing a Downtown Development blog, and creating "Video Business Highlights" of downtown businesses that are hosted on YouTube. A unique aspect of the project is that each facet was managed by a different DDA volunteer or staffperson.

DDA also received the Best Downtown Special Event recognition for "Independents Days: Celebrating Downtown Lincolnton's Locally Owned Independent Businesses." The event was held July 1-14, 2008 and included the "Shop Local Challenge" that encouraged citizens to shop locally first and keep track of items that were not available for purchase in downtown, and the "Find Your Independents Scavenger Hunt" in which participants searched for unique items that could be purchased in downtown's locally owned businesses. Businesses participating in the scavenger hunt donated prizes that were awarded to a participant whose completed game card was drawn at random.

In promoting the 2008 Lincolnton Hog Happenin', DDA introduced a new concept in promotional items with a pocket-sized flyer measuring slightly larger than a business card. The flyer contained information about the event in a convenient distribution size, which proved useful as event organizers and volunteers handed out thousands of the cards at barbeque and motorcycle events across the southeast. Conceptualized and designed by DDA, this "Hog Happenin' Pocket Promoter" was recognized by the NC Main Street Program as Best Promotional Item: Graphics.

"Communities across the state have had great success restoring their downtown business districts to their former prominence as a center of economic, social and cultural activity," said Crisco. "The NC Department of Commerce provides technical assistance, but it is the local community that leads this transformation, and those that have excelled at this important endeavor deserve to be recognized."

DDA's recent recognitions are nothing new for the organization. It received the Best Downtown Special Event award in 2002 for Hog Happenin' and again in 2005 for Upstairs Downtown: RS Reinhardt Loft, as well as the award for Best Economic Development Incentive Plan with the City of Lincolnton for the Substantial Building Rehabilitation Grant.

Ferguson Wins Dream Date

Jamie Ferguson was selected as winner of the 2009 Downtown Dream Date at a random drawing held Wednesday, February 11.

Each year, the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton organizes the retail promotion with the assistance of downtown businesses who donate gifts to be awarded to the winner. The contest is open for everyone 18 and older and can be entered at most downtown businesses.

Ferguson entered the drawing at Hi-Lites. This year's prize package included Valentine's Day dinner for two at Court Street Grille, a bouquet of flowers from Drum's Florist & Gifts, and gifts from the following businesses: 36th Street Bakery, Café & Catering; Belk of Lincolnton; Color Me Pretty; Dancer's Edge Dance Studio; Fatz Café; Fausto Coffee Shop; Good Neighbor Shop; Heavenly Paws Grooming; Hi-Lites; House of Trophies & Engraving/Classic Art & Framing; Kate McCall; Lighthouse Christian Book Store; Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio/Studio 220 Salon & Spa; Personal Artist Studio; Rising Sun Pottery; Stroup's Jewelers; Tindall's Professional Photography; Touch of Class Salon; and Tres Chic & The Shoppes on Main.

Above: Becky Sain, Manager of Hi-Lites
of Lincolnton, with Downtown
Dream Date winner Jamie Ferguson
Right: Ferguson with her Downtown
Dream Date prizes