Central Whidbey First attracts 2,951 entries

After nearly a year, a town of Coupeville, $5,000 funded program to help drum up business is coming to an end. The 2009 Central Whidbey First program expired Feb. 8, which was the last time people could fill a stamp card to enter a monthly, $100 drawing.

By Nathan Whalen • February 9, 2010 1:59 pm
Miriam's Espresso employee Megan O’Halloran stands with Jared Rusnak as he displays several of the Central Whidbey First cards that businesses in town have promoted for nearly a year.
Miriam's Espresso employee Megan O’Halloran stands with Jared Rusnak as he displays several of the Central Whidbey First cards that businesses in town have promoted for nearly a year.

After nearly a year, a town of Coupeville, $5,000 funded program to help drum up business is coming to an end.

The 2009 Central Whidbey First program expired Feb. 8, which was the last time people could fill a stamp card to enter a monthly, $100 drawing.

Business leaders were pleased with the program and they are looking to find something similar to promote in the coming months.

“It was basically to encourage people to shop Central Whidbey and to shop local,” said Linda Eccles, executive director for the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce.

The program started in March 2009 where shoppers would receive one stamp for every $20 they spent in Coupeville businesses. Once they had five stamps on a card, it would be entered into a monthly drawing. In all, 2,951 entries were collected throughout the duration of the contest.

Eccles described the promotion as a success in terms of the number of people who participated. However, she said that it was difficult to determine whether any new business was sparked by the venture.

“We had no way of knowing if it was new business,” Eccles said.

The Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce received some support from the town to promote the Central Whidbey First campaign.

The Town Council approved a $5,000 grant to the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce in early 2009. That money funded advertising, printing, prize money and other costs associated with the promotion.

Mayor Nancy Conard said the town council approved the money because it was a good way to encourage people to shop at local businesses.

Eccles said chamber members will be meeting to see if any adjustments can be made to the program before approaching town leaders for further funding.

Conard said the council will always be willing to listen to any proposal chamber members may develop.

The Central Whidbey First program is the second cash incentive promotion designed to attract shoppers into Coupeville. During the busy holiday shopping season, the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association pushed its “Red Ticket Promotion,” which culminated in a $1,000 cash drawing held in late December on the footsteps of the Island County Museum.

The final $100 drawing will take place during the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting Thursday, Feb. 11.