Chamber Merchants Meeting - Topics of Discussion

September 1, 2010

Members present: Niki & Jami Roethe (Uniquely Rustique), Stephen Vaughan (Wal-Mart), Doyle Hucker (Hometown IGA), Patti Bowles (B-Way Design), Thea Gain (Thea Gift's & Framing), Melissa Garrison (Your Flower Shop), Mary Jon Lehr (Farmers Daughter), and Kristi Hornung (Carnaby Square). 

The old business discussed was the swim party. Phyllis Hilliard will contact the Retail Merchants next year, to see if they want to do a combined event.

Asked for ideas for the month of September. Decided to let Fun Fest be on it's own and each individual store in charge of their own promotion.

Deciding to be a sponsor for the Pumpkin Festival event on October 23rd. Looking at sponsoring the Pumpkin decorating contest. Mary Jon is contacting the Shreve's Pumpkin Patch as well as Bullards, to see if they will donate pumpkins.

Looking at changing the categories: 4 age groups with 3 different levels of prizes. Would like to use chamber bucks for the prizes. Will make final decision next month on the prize amounts.

Also looking at doing something with the Make a Difference Day, since the Pumpkin Fest, Make & Difference Day and the Mule Backers Lance Miller Concert are all on the October 23rd.

Suggestions were made to donate a % percentage of proceeds of sales on October 23rd to the Make A Difference Day. However, it was tabled. They are leaning more to a set amount and not a %. Beside, they  would like to get more details of the charity or charities the Make A Difference Day is going to.

Brenda from Simply Hers called in with a suggestion. That all stores have a drawing for a prize donated by each individual store. To enter in the give-a-way, they would have to pay $1.00. All proceeds then would go to the High School Sports Reinstatement.

VPF - Volunteers for a Progressive Fairfield would like to invite everyone to help out on September 11th City Sidewalk cleanup day. El Mexicano is going to work on cleaning up their alleyway, and the city is to spray the weeds between Jemini's and Dawkins for easy cleanup. Bring your trash bags and rakes or brooms. They will be serving donuts and coffee at Jemini at 6:30am for all workers. A special invitation for help went out the High School organizations.

One last note of interest, it is time to think of the Christmas Parade. Jami & Niki reported that they still have the supplies to do a Christmas Card for the businesses, similar to last years float. They reported that it worked out well and that the Retail Merchants won 2 years in a row.

August 4, 2010

July 7, 2010

Members Present: Niki Roethe & Jami Roethe (Uniquely Rustique), Thea Gain (Thea's Gifts & Framing), Patti Bowles (B-Way Design).

Discussion - Having an end of season sale - possibly "Hot Deals Cool Sales Inside"   Idea having some sales on the sidewalk and additional deals inside. Calls will be made to businesses to see who would like to participate.

Still need ideas for Back to School.

June 9, 2010 

 Members Present  MJ Lehr ( Farmer's Daughter),  Patti Bowles (B-Way Design & Decorating), Thea Gain (Thea's Gifts & Framing), Melissa Garrison ( Your Flower Shop), Kristi Hornung (Carnaby Square).

Fair Promotion - Customers will register  July 6-12th to win 4 tickets to each of the following events

                 Motor Cross

                 Tractor Pull

                 Demo Durby

Those merchants wishing to participate must place a registration box in their business.  All registrations must be turned into the Chamber Office by noon July 13th for the drawing.

April 7,2010

Members present - MJ Lehr ( Farmer's Daughter), Niki and Jami Roethe (Uniquely Rustique), Patti Bowles (B-Way Design & Decorating), Jessica Kohn ( WalMart).

1.  Graduation Promotion -  A graduate from local grade school and a graduate from a local high school or college will win $100 each.   Registration will be in participating stores from May 15 - June 5. 

2. City Wide Rummage Sale will be June 12 along with sidewalk sales in participating stores.  Maps for the rummage sales will be available in the stores and at the chamber office. 

3. It was suggested the merchants committee make a donation to the Mulebackers - no action taken

4.  SpendIt bags have not been ordered.  Question about to proceed or not. No action taken.

March 3, 2010

Members present - MJ Lehr (Farmer's Daughter), Niki and  Jami Roethe (Uniquely Rustique), Thea Gain (Thea's), Melissa Garrison (Your Flower Shop), Nan Scott (Embroidery & More), Patti Bowles (B-Way Design & Decorating), Sandy Simpson (The Male Connection)

1.  Spring Open House - March 26 & 27 - Merchants will have specials

2. Easter Egg Tree Promotion - An Egg Tree will be decorated with lights and eggs.(Display in Chamber Window)   In the Eggs any merchant wishing to participate will write on a slip of paper what they are donating.  The merchant will deliver to Uniquely Rustique by March 15 what they are donating - and pick up a sign to be placed in their business to show they are participating.  Customers can register to win the Egg Tree at participating stores from March 22 - 27th.  Merchants must deliver their registration slips to the Chamber Office by March 29th for the drawing on the 30th.  

The winner of the Egg Tree then must visit each store to claim their prizes.  

3. It was decided to order a gross of SpendIt shopping bags.  The chamber is paying $150 on the purchase.

Held February 3 -2010

Members present - Kristi Hornung (Carnaby Square),  Mary Jon Lehr (Farmer's Daughter), Jamie Roethe and Niki Roethe (Uniquely Rustique), Thea Gain (Thea's ), Patti Bowles (B-Way Design & Decorating), Sandy Simpson (The Male Connection).

1.   Spring Promotion - ideas presented included

                                     a)  Big Green Egg

                                      b)  Easter basket give away

No decision was made - additional ideas needed - will finalize at the March meeting

2.  SpendIt in Fairfield Shopping bags -  additional information needed on cost and whether the Chamber would be willing to help fund the project