The holiday season is fast approaching, and there’s a major push on to showcase the borough’s retail opportunities, with the goal of keeping shopping dollars on this side of the East River.
Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz — joined by business leaders — went to Fulton Mall to unveil the Shop Brooklyn initiative on November 19th, just nine days before the fabled “Black Friday,” November 28th this year, the day after Thanksgiving which many retailers count on to stoke their annual earnings.
Black Friday has been renamed by Markowitz “Brooklyn Friday,” and there will be “Brooklyn bonuses” offered by participating borough retailers, eateries, watering holes and other merchants on that date, as well as every weekend from November 23rd through December 21st.
The goal, according to Borough Hall, is to raise awareness of the diversity of offerings available around the borough, and keep shoppers coming back, not just throughout the holiday season but year-round.
“Shop, eat, drink, and enjoy the holiday season in Brooklyn, U.S.A.,” urged Markowitz in describing the promotion. “Take a family stroll down Brooklyn’s lively thoroughfares, and you’ll find every gift on your holiday list and have a delicious meal to boot–at a great price–with a ‘Brooklyn Bonus!’
“And to my fellow Brooklynites, remember, shopping local keeps Brooklyn thriving,” Markowitz added. “You could say, a Brooklyn patron is a Brooklyn ‘patriot.’”
Overall, the move is intended to shore up the borough’s retail community in a year in which retailers nationwide have been hit hard by a marked decline in consumer spending.
Participating merchants are easy to recognize — they will have the promotion’s logo displayed in their window.
“The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is proud to be part of Shop Brooklyn,” remarked Carl Hum, that organization’s president. “In these challenging economic times, it’s more important than ever to make sure we support each other and that means shopping locally.
“The economic benefits are great as dollars spent locally are more likely to remain in the community,” Hum stressed. “That means a wise investment in ourselves at the end of the day.”
Further information about the Shop Brooklyn promotion — including the names of participants — will be found on a special website created to support the promotion, www. ishopbrooklyn.com, which will launch shortly. Check www.ishopbrooklyn.com or www.brooklyn-usa.org for Shop Brooklyn information and updates.
Bay Ridge Promo
One neighborhood merchants group has already made plans to encourage shoppers to browse its retailers on the day after Thanksgiving.
The Merchants of Third Avenue (MTA) has organized a Shop and Dine on Third Avenue promotion for “Brooklyn Friday,” November 28th. Participating stores and restaurants along the avenue will offer 10, 15 and 20 percent discounts on that day. Many of the merchants along the thoroughfare will participate in the Shop Brooklyn campaign as well.
In addition, Santa and his elves will be visiting Third Avenue for the occasion, riding the strip in a horse-drawn wagon, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., between Marine Avenue and 67th Street, and handing out free candy canes and toys to children, and discount coupons to adults.
Additional information about the Shop and Dine on Third Avenue event can be found in the ad that will run in this issue of this newspaper, or at www. thirdavenuebayridge.com.
