Charming economics
New collector’s bracelet program highlights Ontario businesses
By Sean Hart
Argus Observer
SeanH@argusobserver.com
Saturday, November 14, 2009 11:15 PM PST
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| Cheryl Cruson, Oregon Trail Hobbies & Gifts, shows off small, metal charms representing a dozen Ontario businesses that can be purchased from the respective merchants in order to create an Ontario charm bracelet. The bracelet, with a scarecrow charm representing the Downtown Ontario Business Association, can be purchased for $5 at Plaza Inn Restaurant, Oregon Trail Hobbies and Holiday Inn Hotel, all in Ontario. Additional charms cost $1. |
ONTARIO — Ontario is the theme for a new charm bracelet, and, with a little luck, the collector’s items may spur the local economy.
A group of Ontario businesses have teamed up, each offering a unique charm — a small, metal figure representing the business — that attaches to a bracelet.
With a collection of charms attached, the bracelet becomes a symbolic representation of the local economy — one that helps bring customers into the businesses.
“The whole idea is to bring people into the stores to see what we have to offer here in Ontario,” Cheryl Cruson said. “I think it’ll catch on. I certainly hope so.”
Cruson is the owner of Oregon Trail Hobbies & Gifts in downtown Ontario, the treasurer for the Downtown Ontario Business Association (DOBA) and an organizer for the Ontario charm bracelet program.
“The idea has been really well received,” she said. “Everybody I’ve talked to said, ‘Oh, what a great idea.’ ”
The idea was modeled on a similar, successful program in Pendleton, Cruson said.
“I think it will be a good tourist thing. Another thing that would be neat to do would be to have limited-edition charms for special events,” she said. “They sky is the limit. We can get creative and really use it as a marketing tool.”
So far, Cruson said, 12 merchants have joined the program: Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Plaza Inn Restaurant, The House That Art Built, Family Books & Bargains, Oregon Trail Hobbies, The Aspen Grove, Intermountain Community Bank, Project DOVE, Adele’s Bouquet Express, Holiday Inn Hotel and KSRV.
“Other businesses that want to join in do not have to be members of DOBA,” Cruson said. “I’m hoping that more merchants are going to want to get on the trail with us.”
The “starter bracelet” — the bracelet itself with a scarecrow charm representing downtown Ontario — is available for $5 from Plaza Inn Restaurant, 812 S.W. Fourth Ave., Oregon Trail Hobbies, 272 S. Oregon St., and Holiday Inn Hotel, 1249 Tapadera Ave., all in Ontario. Additional charms can be purchased from each participating business for $1.
“Eventually, we’ll have a map (of all the charm locations) when we get more merchants,” Cruson said. “We’re sure people will want to collect them all.”
For more information about the Ontario charm bracelet, contact Cheryl Cruson, Oregon Trail Hobbies & Gifts, (541) 889-3747.
Lifestyle Editor Sean Hart can be contacted at SeanH@argusobserver.com. The Us section is now available through the Argus E-Newsletter. Have local lifestyle news and photos sent directly to your e-mail account by signing up at www.argusobserver.com.
