Back to Business – Medina
Main Street Medina
On April 18, The Raspberry and the Rose gift shop in Main Street Medina reposted All Fired Up’s Facebook Live sale. Along with other small Medina businesses, these small businesses have supported and promoted each other on social media during quarantine.
This is one way local Medina businesses adapted their practices during COVID-19. The businesses generated revenue and support through social media and strengthened the small business community together. As stores reopen, Main Street Medina will post Facebook Live videos of downtown businesses and offer Main Street Medina Bucks to continue building this community.
“Social media is really the best, easiest and most efficient way for them to reach their customers,” says Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Main Street Medina. “It’s also been the best way for us as a Main Street program to directly promote our members.”
Wiederhold says that local retail stores — The Raspberry and the Rose, All Fired Up! Medina, JK Gift Shop and the Gardener’s Cottage — have not only been holding Facebook live sales but also promoting the work of other local businesses.
“We have a lot of women’s boutiques in town, so they’re all in competition with each other,” he says. “It’s been cool to see them cross-promoting each other on Facebook. In an odd way, the isolation has built a community.”
On Fridays starting June 5th, Main Street Medina will be having Facebook Live tours to spotlight local businesses. The team will walk through the district and stop at restaurants and shops for brief tours, meet-and-greets and advertise any sales.
“It’s a way for our member businesses to connect with the people that like our Facebook page,” Wiederhold says. “Rather than just reaching out to their audience, they’ll be reaching out to our audience.”
Beyond social media, Wiederhold says that each of the businesses has adapted to COVID-19 circumstances differently.
“Some businesses are requiring masks, some are putting up barriers at their check out counters, some are limiting the number of people allowed in the store,” he says. “People are picking and choosing from the recommendations of the governor what works for them.”
As a Main Street organization, Wiederhold and his team have been checking in with retailers and business owners frequently to ask how they’ve been doing and encouraging them to stay positive.
“We’ve been reminding people we’ve gone through things like this before,” he says. “This community loves our local stores, they love our square, and we know that when things are somewhat back to a new normal, people will come out, shop and support our businesses.”
People have been hangin eating downtown at three picnic tables the city has added to the square. Main Street Medina also encourages customers to shop downtown with Main Street Medina bucks. These $5 cash vouchers are redeemable at any business listed on the back.
On the opening day of the Farmer’s Market and each week after, ten Main Street Medina Bucks will be given to winners of drawings or passed out at special events.
“It’s a way to get customers into our member businesses and give them direct benefits,” Wiederhold says. “If someone likes a Facebook post, they can win Main Street bucks.”
Wiederhold says that the next two months will be critical to determine the success of small, local businesses. They are now waiting to see how the reopening process will go and whether consumers will be ready to return to businesses or prefer to stay away.
“Know that customers are gonna be edgy and anxious,” he advises. “Be kind and calm, put on a smile, and know that a better tomorrow is coming.”