SCRANTON, Pa. — Business owners across our area are coming together to get shoppers in their doors.
For small business owners like Mary Beck, who owns Central Station in Scranton, the month of February can be a slow time for sales.
"I think they are burnt out from the holidays, and it's a lull before Easter. The weather is always hit or miss, so people hunker down," said Beck.
That's why six years ago, she created Cabin Fever Frenzy to encourage people to shop small during the month of February. Twenty small shops from Towanda to Scranton are participating.
"It's a great idea to get people out of the house with cabin fever so they're not sitting there all the time, and it helps the small businesses out and make some extra money," said Russell Hodgson, owner of Simple Treasures.
Here's how Cabin Fever Frenzy works: Make a minimum $10 purchase at any of the stores, and you'll get your card stamped. Once you rack up six purchases, return your card to any store to be entered for a chance at a $200 gift certificate.
"You have a year to use the gift certificate in any of our stores. You can break it up between all of our stores however you want to do it," explained Beck.
Other business owners who have participated for all of these years say the Cabin Fever Frenzy brings out not only their regular customers but also some new faces.
"A lot of people may not know you're here unless you have an event like this that gets people out and learn new places. It's like treasure hunting at a lot of places," said Hodgson.
"We've got some serious shoppers, but then you've got these people who come in literally dancing, waving their cards and the joy on their faces. We'll ask, 'What are you looking for?' 'I don't know. I'll know when I see it.' It's fantastic," said Gretchen Senerchia with Melben's Murkantile.
You have until the end of February to get all of your stamps, so get shopping. You can find a list of participating businesses on Facebook.