#AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown Edition

* MARCH 2, 2021 UPDATE *

Thank you to everyone who participated in #AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown Edition!!

I’m thrilled to report that:

  • Over 100 people spent nearly $10,000 to support 50 downtown Edmonton businesses 
    • This includes actual reported spends, estimated minimum spends, and gift card bonus spends
  • In addition, ATB has also gifted $10,000 to select businesses to share with their customers
    • Continue to watch the #AdoptAShopYEG hashtag + @ATBFinancial for additional biz incentives!
  • Nearly 400 #AdoptAShopYEG social media posts were shared 
  • #AdoptAShopYEG posts reached over 500,000 people + 2.3 million impressions (post views)
Adopt A Shop YEG Love Downtown Thank You Success
Thank you for supporting downtown Edmonton businesses!

While not all 300 sign-up slots were filled this time around (193 total sign up slots were claimed from 106 people), I’m still so happy and grateful for those who were able to sign up, spend, and/or share about this initiative, and help show a little extra love to downtown Edmonton during the pandemic. THANK YOU!!

I know this time of year is typically tougher for everyone, so the fact that we were able to inject this money into downtown is very special for me. And I could not have done it without my friends and partners at ATB Financial. ATB is built to help Albertans and they continue to show this through the many initiatives they create and support (like #AdoptAShopYEG!) 

Thanks also to Cheryll Watson and Nick Lilley of the Downtown Recovery Task Force for starting this downtown-themed #AdoptAShopYEG discussion in the first place, and rolling it into their bigger Love Downtown initiative throughout the month of February.  

Adopt a Shop Love Downtown Explore Edmonton
From Feb 14-17, nominate downtown businesses then Feb 18-28, adopt then shop!
(ORIGINAL POST BELOW)
This February, I’m excited to announce a third #AdoptAShopYEG (and first of 2021!), focused on downtown Edmonton businesses, and with support from my friends at ATB Financial

For those who are new to the #AdoptAShopYEG initiative, this is a project I started organizing in the summer of 2020, as a way to rally community support for local businesses affected by the pandemic. You nominate businesses, I curate a list, and then we all come together to “adopt” (spend) at the curated businesses!

In July 2020, 173 people collectively spent more than $8,000 at 50 Edmonton small businesses they “adopted” and then in November 2020, nearly 250 people spent over $17,000 at 64 small businesses across 8 neighbourhoods they “adopted” in Edmonton! (Over $22,000 if we factor in the gift cards ATB surprised participants with so they could shop even more!) 

I have plans for a maker/no-store-front #AdoptAShopYEG this 2021, but before that, I hope you’ll help me support downtown businesses in this third #AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown Edition!

This version of Adopt a Shop is part of a bigger downtown recovery initiative this February. 

From the Edmonton Downtown Vibrancy Task Force:

Downtowns are the heartbeat of cities and having a healthy heart means you have a strong city. Downtowns play a critical social and economic role as the central business district, the main destination of visitors and play and in concentrating activities that drive commercial, cultural and civic impact. When a downtown loses its vibrancy, your city loses its vibrancy.

The Downtown Vibrancy Task Force wants to drive Edmontonians to support downtown retail and restaurant businesses during the month of February.

With the pandemic resulting in a limited number of downtown residents and day time office workers, downtown retail and restaurant businesses are worse off than those in other neighbourhoods. Let’s come together to show love and support for downtown. 

Here’s how to participate in #AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown Edition:

Adopt A Shop Love Downtown - Rules
Participate in #AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown (#yegdt) Edition from Feb 18-28, 2021!

Thanks to everyone who nominated downtown businesses who could use an extra boost / a little bit of love this February! I’ve put together a curated list of businesses you can “adopt!”

Support businesses and share about it on social media for a chance to WIN money to spend thanks to ATB!

  • Sign-up Incentive:
    • 20 people who sign-up to support Adopt A Shop will be randomly selected for a $25 gift card from ATB! 
  • Social Media Prize Bonus:
    • 50 people who participate (“adopt a shop”) and share about this downtown version of #AdoptAShopYEG on Instagram or Twitter will be randomly selected to win $25 gift cards to add to their downtown spends, courtesy of ATB.
      • Make sure you’re following @ATBFinancial + me (@lindork)
      • Make sure your post includes #AdoptAShopYEG + #yegdt
      • Make sure @ATBFinancial + @lindork are tagged in your post
    • Only in-grid Instagram posts/tweets from public accounts shared between Feb. 18-28, 2021 will qualify, though do please still share about it on IG Story too as I’d love to re-post your Stories!

ATB was built to help Albertans. And they’ve been working hard during the pandemic to help keep businesses we love in business. That’s why they’ve been such a perfect partner for my Adopt a Shop initiatives, and I’m so grateful for their support! 

Note: please support businesses safely. Order online (where possible) or place phone orders. Pick up to go / do curbside. This initiative takes place over a two week period so there shouldn’t be crowds congregating any one place all at one time. Wear a mask when you’re out—and if sick—stay home!

Adopt a Shop Love Downtown - Social Share
Shop then share for a chance to win and shop even more!
Adopt a Shop YEG - Love Downtown Edition - Edmonton
Let's get our Adopt a Shop on downtown!
Adopt a Shop YEG - Love Downtown Edition - Edmonton
Let's support Edmonton's downtown.

What else you should know about #AdoptAShopYEG: Love Downtown Edition!

  • This version of Adopt a Shop runs alongside a few other downtown vibrancy initiatives happening this February 2021. See other initiatives at the Friends of DT website.
  • Follow me @lindork and @ATBFinancial on Twitter and Instagram for regular announcements about the 50 randomly selected social media gift card winners from Feb 18-28, 2021!
  • If you spend more than $50 at more than two adopted businesses, that’s great! Please note how much you spent in the sign-up tracking sheet (to come) so we can get a firmer total!  Otherwise I’ll assume you’re spending at least $25 per business.
  • It’s easiest to edit the sign-up form from a computer, or if you’d prefer, email or send me @lindork a note on social media to let me know which business(es) you’d like to sign up to and I’d be happy to put your name down for you! 
  • If you’re not able to participate by spending, that’s okay too! Please share about the initiative on your social media! Tag me @lindork and @ATBFinancial. Use #AdoptAShopYEG + #yegdt. Your post might inspire someone else to spend and support businesses in need.
  • While I wish we could help all businesses (and businesses beyond downtown), we did want to narrow it down to try and make the initiative most impactful and themed around downtown for this version. For this edition, we tried to stay within certain downtown Edmonton boundaries.

Why am I doing this?

  • I lifted this explanation from my original #AdoptAShopYEG blog post because it’s still true: I love supporting local businesses. I have my own business and I grew up working at my parents business (that is also a struggling business). I want to use my platform for good and this is just one fun way to do that. Many businesses are struggling and while we may not be able to support all of them, all the time, we can try to make an impact through initiatives like this. 
  • I’m also excited ATB is partnering with me again to help put on this downtown #AdoptAShopYEG! ATB was started more than 80 years ago to help Albertans through the Great Depression, and their commitment to helping Albertans through hard times hasn’t changed. ATB has been involved in so many initiatives during this pandemic that support Alberta businesses and entrepreneurs, and I’m lucky this is one of them!

Keep a downtown Edmonton business you love in business (and do it safely). Share about #AdoptAShopYEG + #yegdt on your social media! Let’s try to get all 300 sign-up spots filled and at least $15,000 spent at local businesses in downtown Edmonton as part of this initiative! 

Please note: if one of your favourite businesses isn’t featured in this initiative, you are absolutely encouraged to still support them—spread the word about them, spend money there. Keep the local shopping and spending going beyond this initiative! 

Linda

If you’re Edmonton area and want hyperlocal recommendations on what to do, eat, and things to know each week, plus subscriber-only giveaways, subscribe to my weekly newsletter!

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Disclaimer: This blog post is part of a sponsored partnership with ATB Financial. This does not impact opinions stated in this post. As I regularly demonstrate, I love supporting local businesses! And I’m excited ATB is offering bonus prize incentives for participants that help make a bigger impact for small businesses.

PLEASE SUPPORT SAFELY! Order online (where possible) or place phone orders. Pick up to go / do curbside. This initiative takes place over a two week period so there shouldn’t be crowds congregating any one place all at one time. Wear a mask when you’re out—and if sick—stay home!

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