Survey says... We recently sent a survey to all FMA members regarding how the Labor Day Weekend and the summer season went. Given all the calamity in the world the results for Freeport (both in the survey and anecdotal) were overall very good. Briefly here are some notes: For Labor Day weekend more than 72% reported sales equal to or better than last year. For the season, 55% reported sales equal to or exceeding last year. A whopping 91% reported an increase in Canadian business! Also included in the survey were questions about the upcoming Holiday season. For results on that, see the Moonlight Madness article.
Trick or Treating Information... Most merchants participate in this tradition, including decorating and costuming whenever practical. Trick or Treating is done from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Halloween, October 31st. 
FMA provides a “Trick or Treat Jack O’ Lantern” flyer for merchants that are participating to display in their window or door. Get yours here. Printed versions are also available at the FMA office. Most village merchants can expect to see as many as 600 to 900 kids during those two hours. Merchants will typically dispense at least a standard large shopping bag worth of candy. We have always tried to keep this a sort of Freeport community & family event and manage the scope of things. For this reason we do not publicize the event in the press.
Second Tuesday Speakers Club starts again... Dr. Steve Putnam will again introduce the Second Tuesday Speakers Club at the Freeport Performing Arts Center beginning on October 14th with Joan Benoit Samuelson - Gold Medal winner in the first Olympic marathon for women.  The Second Tuesday Speakers Club (2ndTSC) program is modeled on the 19th century Chatauqua speakers who went from town to town for a dollar and a free dinner to speak in a lecture hall before moving on. "Such lectures helped persons to broaden their views of life by being exposed to the experiences and thinking of others, ...and so we hope will happen here in this fascinating series," says Dr. Steve. You can find out more at www.FreeportPAC.org
New Town Hall hours start soon...
 In an effort to be more cost effective, efficient and environmentally friendly, the Town of Freeport will begin new hours of operation and a four day week starting in December. The new hours will be as follows;
Monday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: CLOSED
Save more time and fuel by using the towns online services at www.FreeportMaine.com for things like Car, ATV, Trailers, and Snowmobile re-registrations and Hunting / Fishing / Dog Licenses.
Network your business through committee volunteerism...
The Freeport Merchants Association is a prestigious, effective and well respected marketing organization. Working as a committee volunteer for FMA is an excellent networking opportunity for your business and a valuable addition to your resume. Currently there are still several opportunities to serve on committees for FMA membership programs, community relations, and event production. Come join the excitement- you'll get to be part of the team that helps build the Freeport Experience for millions of visitors! Contact
Alison at awiest@freeportusa.com or contact the FMA office at 865-1212 for details.
A picture is worth... We are developing an archive of new photos of Freeport. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this day of visual marketing that value has gone up! We're looking for photos that will help define the Freeport "brand" and convey the Freeport "experience".  You are part of that experience and here's where you come in... send us your photos. They could be of your business (inside or out), an event you were involved with, the view from your street, your favorite Freeport place, or whatever.
 The photos will be used by FMA in printed materials, on the web and in advertising to promote Freeport. You could be famous - likeTom Wilbur in his antique red pickup truck or the Denney Block Clock, which are now seen on the cover of 380,000 Vistor Guide Maps!
For information on how and where to send photos contact Dick at dcollins@freeportusa.com
Health Notes... 
"Making your employees healthier helps you to save money."
Here is the next installment of a regular feature for FMA members called... "Health Notes" By James Tasse, Project Director at Healthy Casco Bay. Read Health Notes Vol. II
In today's market do you need to find new sources of credit and financing? Let the counselors at the Small Business Development Centers assist you with ideas, resources, connections, training, support and information services - All at NO CHARGE. ·Call today for an appointment
·Appointments are available for October 15, October 29, November 12, and November 26.
·Each appointment is about an hour long between 8 am and 12:30 pm
·The Freeport office is located at the Hampton Inn, 194 Lower Main Street, Freeport
·Appointments may be scheduled by calling 865-4743 ext 137 For additional information, contact: Bev Tefer, Freeport Economic Development Corporation
865-4743 x 137 or btefer@freeportmaine.com
American Eagle provides new storage options... You'll find many uses for our newest member's services. American Eagle Self Storage provides residential, commercial, and business space. They are perfect if you are moving or just need more space. Their month-to-month leasing allows for short or long-term storage. They are conveniently located just North of the Big Indian, on Route One, South of the village, and are easily accessible from Portland, Gray, and Brunswick. Check out their services and rates here.
FMA Quarterly Forum packed with information... Thank you to all of the Quarterly Forum speakers, participants and attendees-your contribution and participation made our first meeting very productive. We held the meeting during 2 different time periods in an effort to accommodate more schedules and hope that you all found that helpful. If you missed the forum, you missed a lot! We discussed numerous business opportunities that will benefit all businesses –one in particular was the KEEP MAINE STRONG initiative, which is a very important and exciting opportunity to support doing business in Maine. This is a new partnershp with Channel 8 that can afford all members new exposure directly and indirectly through their website and tv commercial marketing campaign. There was also lot's of information about parking and traffic improvements in town, new FMA events and free marketing and promotion opportunities through FMA. We will send a short list of questions to gather your feedback about future topics and opportunities to improve the Quarterly Forum format. We will post the information that was shared on the web. Thanks to Bev Rafferty and Lori Yotides for the concept of this informational meeting. We hope to see you at the next forum!
Got news, notes or ideas for the next Shop Talk Members Newsletter? Send them along to dcollins@freeportusa.com or awiest@freeportusa.com |
October 2008
Executive Directors Message
WOW – it’s well into October already and I am enjoying my third month in position. Thank you all for your warm welcome. I greatly appreciate your willingness and desire to work together. You all bring so much to Freeport it is really a privilege for me to have this opportunity to work with you. The art festival was really well organized and executed - thank you Alison. The addition of music was well received. We look forward to that again next year. Thank you Tori Baron (James Place Inn) and Tim Rudolph (Kendall Tavern Inn). Weather wasn’t as helpful as it could be but all had a good time, as always. This month we will officially launch our new Block Captain Program. I am very excited about this new initiative. I am confident that it will afford all Freeport businesses a better vehicle to communicate consistently. Please take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about what is happening in Freeport and at FMA and also to share your thoughts. We need to know how to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Our next event is the brand new Girlfriends Getaway November 14, 15 and 16. We are working out the details and already have a strong response from our Freeport community and our e-list members. It’s very exciting for FMA to bring this national trend to Freeport. A special thanks to the Harraseeket Inn and Maine Distilleries, Cold River Vodka, for their major support of the Fashion Show segment of the GG event! I am very excited to share that Freeport will celebrate the official start to the Black Friday weekend event with the kick off of Moonlight Madness on Friday November 28 at 12:01 Am-that means that nearly all retail stores in the village will open during moonlight hours many will open at midnight! You can be involved, too. See the article. I will continue to look for opportunities to add events to our calendar –events that add value through increase in traffic, goodwill and/ or exposure. Together with our Marketing Committee we are reviewing the material currently used to market Freeport as a global brand and destination. I want to make sure that the information we share -our face to the world if you will- reflects our business community in a way that represents Freeport to the fullest and leverages the important attributes of Freeport in the most compelling way.
As we begin our membership drive I want to invite you all to a round table/ town meeting format to talk about our strategy for next year, FMA positioning and any membership concerns you may want to discuss. Please let me know if you want to host a gathering. I want to rotate through Freeport from late October into November at a different location one day a week for a few hours–an open house if you will…watch for details or call our office. On a final note, these are different and challenging economic times. As we forge ahead in this unknown and unfamiliar period we must work even more closely together to face these new challenges in new ways. I encourage all of you to find new ways to generate business and traffic. People will shop, play, dine and stay in Freeport this season. There is tremendous opportunity to meet and exceed l/y numbers and projections. We have much to offer every customer this season. Let’s inspire each other to meet and exceed the needs of our visitors all of the time, but in particular during this festive season. Open early, stay open later, offer holiday cheer to every guest –let’s all do our part to enhance the Freeport Experience.
Thank you, Myra
Girlfriends Getaway really gettin' goin'...  Our new Girlfriends Getaway event for this November 14-15-16 is getting lots of attention and generating lots of interest!
There is a Girlfriends Getaway page on the website which you can link to at http://www.freeportusa.com/girlfriends.html New GG events are coming in daily and will be added to the webpage as they come in. If you have not gotten involved yet you should contact the FMA office right away (865-1212) or email Alison at awiest@freeportusa.com
Here is a Girlfriends Getaway flyer to download and print for distribution as you like. Copies are also available at the FMA office.
Our first press releases launch this week and we'd like to mention as many FMA member events and activities as possible. The sooner you get involved the more often we can promote you!
Moonlight Madness the newest feature of Holiday in Freeport... As part of the recent survey we mentioned, members were asked their interest in having overnight and/or early morning store hours for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. Since the survey there has been significant interest in the idea. We are excited to announce that this year Freeport will feature a Moonlight Madness event as part of the month-long Holiday in Freeport promotions.  The new event will focus on open stores and activities beginning at various times from 12:00am on Friday, November 28th. The event will be positioned as a shopping celebration, and a new way to go back to a familiar tradition - where you can enjoy a bit of madness that won't make you crazy.
With our beautiful Christmas-card-like setting, unique gift ideas, excellent values, quality brand names, and flagship location of one of the world's best retailers, Freeport is able to provide a singular holiday experience. Moonlight Madness will be a way to extend the shopping season for many visitors and our member merchants. There will be a heavy media drive for this promotion. Please contact the FMA office (865-1212or awiest@freeportusa.com) as soon as possible to participate in this new opportunity. Moonlight Madness joins the L.L.Bean Northern Lights Celebration and FMA's Sparkle Weekend in the wide selection of happenings that are part of the Holiday in Freeport experience.
Speaking of Sparkle... The holidays are coming up fast. The need to get holiday event schedules out is coming up faster! We're getting lots of inquiries about holioday happenings right now. We have some info out and we're working on the online events page and brochures for Sparkle Weekend now. If you were in the parade, had a sales event or special promotion, refreshments, activities or whatever last year and want to do it again, let us know right away. There's room for everybody, so if you want to Sparkle with us this year contact Alison right away at awiest@freeportusa.com or 865-1212!
Come to the Cabaret... (and Bistro) Two big news items - The Freeport Cabaret is now The Freeport Cabaret & Bistro! Bistro means food and tells everyone that they have expanded the menu to include full dinner selections. Round it all out with a choice of rich and delectable deserts and your night of dining is complete. All this and live entertainment every night! The Freeport Cabaret & Bistro is your new “has it all” nightspot.
 Item two - Every Thursday is Freeport Merchants, Businesses and Employees Night at the Freeport Cabaret and Bistro. A special Freeport Business and Merchants Happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm with $2.00 off all drinks, and free munchies and cabaret specialty snacks Then stay for dinner and the nights fun; Karaoke and sing along. Fun for everyone plus a chance to talk to your colleagues and representatives of the Freeport Merchants Association, Freeport Economic Development, and other guests from the town and the business community.
Using FMA resources for the coming season... As we move from fall into the Holiday season we encourage you to take advantage of several tools available to you through FMA. For example; The Employment Page - it's a resource for hiring seasonal help and it's free.
The Special Savings Page - it's another way to announce your featured sales and promotions and it's free.
Store Hours - the Top Pick After 6 Page - be sure you keep us informed of changing store hours! Use the submission link on any of these pages to send your info or email it directly to dcollins@freeportusa.com And don't forget FMA Gift Certificates - Thousands of dollars in FMA Gift Certificates are purched each holiday season. You can accept them and you can also offer them if you don't have GCs of your own! For info on FMA GCs contact the FMA office at 865-1212.
Website changes... The evolution of FreeportUSA.com continues with several useful improvements. - Since our events listings have become so popular, an "Events at a Glance" feature has been added to the main page for visitor convenience.
- The Services page has been re-designed for more efficient use. The new design will also make the page compatible with the new print version FMA Services Directory launching for the 2009 Membership.
- We are transitioning our listings pages to a crisper, cleaner and easier reading typeface. The transition will be complete by next week.
- Our Maine Products and Companies in Freeport marketing campaign has begun with a new "Featured Maine Product" section on the site. The section was introduced in the October issue of the Freeport eClub and features Au's new 18% Collection.
 If you would like to have your Maine made product featured in the segment please contact Dick Collins at dcollins@freeportusa.com with your product/company writeup and product photo(s).
FMA Membership 2009...
We are now working on our 2009 Membership and marketing materials. You can look forward to your membership renewal or signup information in the mail very shortly. FMA continues to offer more and better services each year and 2009 will be no exception. Members will have several new marketing tools through FMA this coming year. We continue to be the best value in marketing for our members, which is especially important in such interesting economic times. This is why the majority of national retail brands find membership in FMA critical to their success in Freeport. We're excited about 2009 and about having you as a member. We'll look forward to working with you soon! eClub November / Holiday issue schedule... The November eClub is will be sent out to eClubbers on October 29th. If you have news, sales events, new products for fall, or anything of interest to potential customers for November, please send that information to dcollins@freeportusa.com by Wednesday, October 22nd. You can include photos and coupon offers, too! Community happenings are welcome as well. This issue will be a holiday planner for lots of folks, so be sure to have your holiday happenings front and center! The Freeport eClub is sent to consumers that have signed up online to receive the eClub newsletter sent to them with information about happenings, shopping and savings in Freeport, Maine!
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