DSA Kicks Off "Downtown R&R - The Downtown Difference"

Monday, May 19 2008 (01:59PM) | Posted by Kathryn Vicat-Dlabach (UDA) | Downtown

The Downtown Springfield Association is proud to present it’s newest cross promotional campaign: “Downtown R&R – The Downtown Difference”. This promotional event partners downtown retailers and restaurants to offer cross-promotional discounts.

Partnering businesses include:

Fitzwilly’s Gifts & Antiques (308 South Avenue) and The Coffee Ethic (128 Park Central Square)
Indie (320 W. Walnut, Ste 100) and Riad (105 Park Central Square)
Shae Belle (322 S. Cambpell) and Hickok’s Brewery (314 S. Patton)
Global Fayre (324 S. Campbell) and Bailey’s American Grille (319 W. Walnut)
Pastiche Design & Décor (400 E. Walnut, Ste 100) and Mille’s American Café (313 S. Jefferson).
Staxx Apparel (331 South Avenue) and Bruno’s Italian Restaurant (416 South Avenue).
The Moxie Cinema (408 W. Walnut) and Marco’s Pizzeria/Bugsy Malones (400 South Avenue).

This is how it works: shop downtown and with your purchase you will recieve a coupon to a participating restaurant; dine downtown and you will recieve a coupon to a participating retailer. Discounts vary and coupons are good for 30 days from issue date. Keep your coupon and save some money!

The concept for the R&R campaign originated from the DSA retailers as they sought ways to build on downtown’s prominence as southwest Missouri’s home of fine and casual dining with over 40 restaurants for all ages and tastes. It showcases “The Downtown Difference” to current and future customers. “Shopping and dining downtown is an intimate experience for patrons. More times than not when visiting downtown you will deal with the actual owner of the business who is committed to quality service and provides one-on-one attention to their customers,” says Kathryn Vicat, DSA Community Development Coordinator. “It’s the small touches that set us apart, like personalized attention from the owner, unique shops, and a location where you can park once and build an entire afternoon or evening experience. That’s the downtown difference.”

Participating restaurants and retailers are looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate on this marketing campaign. “When you work or own a business downtown you become part of a community of businesses,” explains Shawn Gott, owner/operator of Bailey’s American Grille and Downtown R&R participant, “It’s really not about competition, it’s about supporting other businesses in my community, which is good business for everyone.”

Nicole Chilton, Downtown R&R participant, owner/operator of The Moxie Cinema and Downtown Springfield Association President truly believes in “The Downtown Difference”, “As a downtown business owner, our neighborhood relationships are just as important to us as our customer relationships. By offering different cross promotions with a variety of businesses, I think we're achieving something that no other shopping community in town has - a place where the merchants and customers all benefit. I'm excited to see the response from this new downtown promotion."

This campaign will begin June 1, 2008 and run through the fall with rotating partnerships between restaurants and retailers in downtown Springfield.

The Downtown Springfield Association (DSA), with over 100 members, is a member based organization founded in 1965 as an advocacy group for the redevelopment of downtown Springfield.

For more information about the “Downtown R&R” marketing campaign, please contact Kathryn Vicat at 417-831-6200 or email Kathryn.