Chance of Snow Prompts Flurry of Customer Inquiries

The Springdale Chamber of Commerce and a small group of the city’s merchants tried to boost sales while also spreading a little holiday cheer.

The “Spend Christmas in Springdale…You Shop…It Snows…It’s Free!” promotion promised customers 100 percent refunds of qualified purchases if downtown Springdale got four or more inches of snow on Christmas Day. Purchases had to be made between Nov. 24 and Dec. 18 to qualify.

Frances Mayo of Around the World Travel was one of eight business owners to participate.

“Out of the gate you wouldn’t have necessarily thought of my business tying in,” Mayo said about 10 days before Christmas, “but I can definitely say I’ve seen results.”

Mayo said she sent an e-mail blast to her customer database in addition to similar efforts by the chamber. Mayo also touted the promotion on ATWT’s Facebook page, and bought group radio advertising.

“I got three e-mail replies almost immediately, and have had others check in since then,” Mayo said. “One guy, in particular, was going to take a cruise this summer, but went ahead and booked it now.”

Mayo said the businesses like hers purchase insurance policies that cover applicable purchases as a safeguard.