Canandaigua Unveils Shop Dine and Explore Banner Campaign

The next time you are traveling through Canandaigua, New York, you may notice the new banners that are placed on the street poles of Main Street. The three verbs say it all: Shop, Dine, and Explore, a message that shopkeepers and business owners hope that motorists will remember.

“We need to let locals and tourist know what wonderful businesses Canandaigua has to offer” Don Stevens says, current president of the Canandaigua Merchant Association. “People tend to forget about the shops or restaurants, or don’t have time to stop.” The traffic on Main Street seems to be growing, and although there is some foot traffic, Don would like for more people to park and walk the streets.

The Shop, Dine, and Explore campaign was invented for locals and tourists alike. The Shop encourages people to browse and shop the stores and boutiques, the Dine is for the restaurants, and Explore is for the art galleries. Canandaigua has an impressive amount of art galleries to explore, the most galleries in the Finger Lakes, excluding Rochester or Syracuse.

The banner campaign also reminds consumers that local businesses need your support. There are several advantages to spending local: outstanding customer service, competitive pricing, and your dollars will stay in the community. Doing business in the Finger Lakes relies heavily on tourist dollars, but with the growing population the shift is now focused to residents. Having the support of local consumers keeps local businesses alive and keeps a town thriving. A thriving economy brings additional growth, and it’s a clear message that everyone can agree on. With the repercussions of no local support fearfully evident, consumers can make a difference.

Canandaigua is a consumer friendly environment with ample parking, both in free municipal lots and meter free streets. Friendly merchants are eager to help you with the latest fashion trends or the next got to have gift, making shopping and dining locally not just a conscious decision but an adventure. With gas prices up, some locals have decided not leave home and are vacationing in their own backyards rediscovering what Canandaigua has to offer. Don Stevens is happy to report that local shopping is becoming more popular. “People are amazed at what’s in their own backyard that they haven’t discovered yet. Now, more than ever, shopping local is necessary, local businesses are here and happy to help you.”

Don Stevens is a consumer writer and current president of the Canandaigua Merchant Association. For more information visit (http://www.downtowncanandaigua.com)