A heart-themed photo set-up will be available for shoppers at Salvage Sisters during Love Local Franklin from Feb. 9 to 18. Salvage Sisters is one of 32 businesses taking part in Love Local Franklin, offering special deals and the chance to win special prizes.
RYAN TRARES | DAILY JOURNAL
People shopping in Franklin have the chance to show some love this February.
Participants can shop funky boutiques, chic vintage stores, local-centric art galleries and many other businesses throughout the downtown area. They can grab a cafe sandwich, an oversized muffin or a creative coffee drink to energize during their shopping spree. Special deals and other enticements can be found around every corner.
And for every $100 people spend at participating businesses from Feb. 9 to 18, they will be entered to win one of 10 prize packs showcasing the best that downtown Franklin has to offer.
The local business community is gearing up for another Love Local Franklin event, organized to help drive sales during one of the slowest shopping months of the year. People can pick up a Love Local passport at any of the 32 businesses taking part, and track how much they spend over the course of the campaign.
“Our downtown is really strong, and a lot of businesses are doing great. People do care about supporting local businesses. But this is a program to remind them that these businesses need support year-round,” said Danny Causey, executive director of Discover Downtown Franklin.
For store owners taking part, Love Local is an opportunity to invigorate visitors new and old to the downtown area, while introducing people to unique offerings they might otherwise never discover.
“It gives the city of Franklin a chance to promote items that are unique to Franklin, and promotes the character of Franklin,” said Christine Hamilton, director of Madison Street Salvage. “The items we’re selling — they’re unique to us and unique to this city.”
Love Local Franklin has become an annual tradition in downtown Franklin. Spearheaded by Discover Downtown Franklin, the Valentine’s Day-themed promotion made it possible for local residents and county visitors to show their appreciation for the businesses that make the city so unique.
At the same time, they could also spark sales that typically hibernate in the depths of winter.
“The heart of this program is that February is traditionally not the greatest retail month,” Causey said. “We’re trying to support these local businesses to make sure they’re not only surviving, but thriving.”
This year’s Love Local event will span 10 days, giving people plenty of time to fill up their passports and take part. Businesses taking part are a blend of downtown staples and first-time participants.
People can search for hidden treasures at Thanks for the Thyme, FrenChic and Salvage Sisters — which has been a part of Love Local for years and has seen the unique collaborative spirit behind Franklin’s downtown businesses.
“When I started, there were no other businesses down here except for Thanks for the Thyme, and that was 14.5 years ago,” said Julie Stewart, owner of Salvage Sisters. “I love that everybody supports everybody.”
Each of the participating stores is getting ready for the big 10-day event. Madison Street Salvage is going through its inventory, putting items on sale and ensuring they have enough items for an influx of customers.
“We’re going to have a lot of volunteers to help us, in addition to staff. So we’re gearing up for the weekend,” Hamilton said.
Boutiques and home decor stores such as BYTAVI, Brick Street Boutique, Farm Girl Mercantile, Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined and Upstairs Basement promise unique finds that fit any personal style. Toodleydoo Toys, Wild Geese Bookshop and JP Parker Flowers offer a perfect place to pick up gifts.
The Knitting Otter, one of the new businesses participating in Love Local, is the place to pick up high-quality yarn and other fabric arts supplies.
Though the focus is on retail businesses, downtown eateries and its newest distillery are also taking part. Court Street Café, The Local Grind, 1823 Bakehouse, Hoosier Cupboard Candy, Snacks and Ice Cream, Main & Madison Market Café, Millie’s Ice Cream Co. and Haberdasher Artisan Distillery are all featured on the Love Local passport.
As people spend money, people get heart-shaped stamps indicating the cumulative amount they’ve contributed to the downtown economy. Once Love Local ends on Feb. 18, people who have spent at least $100 can turn in their passports for the chance to win one of the prize packs featuring items and gift cards from downtown businesses — worth $800 in total.
“For all of the folks who come out and shop, they have the opportunity to win some prizes,” Causey said.
AT A GLANCE
Love Local Franklin
General information:
Who: 32 local businesses
What: A 10-day campaign inviting people to support and frequent area businesses. People can pick up a Love Local passport from any participating business, and for every $100 total you spend you will be entered to win a prize. Ten prizes will be awarded.
When: Feb. 9-18
Where: Downtown Franklin
Participating businesses: 10 Pins, 1823 Bakehouse, A Trophy Business, At Home with Heartland, Brick Street Boutique, BYTAVI, Court Street Café, Eclectic Jade, Farm Girl Mercantile, Franklin Jewelers, FrenChic, Generation Art and Frame, Haberdasher Artisan Distillery, Hoosier Cupboard Candy, Snacks and Ice Cream, Johnson County Museum of History, JP Parker Flowers, Madison Street Salvage, Main & Madison Market Café, Middle Davids Artisan Candles, Millie’s Ice Cream Co., Possibilities: Home Re-Imagined, Salvage Sisters, Small Town Girl Boutique, T-Shirt Express, Thanks for the Thyme, The Knitting Otter, The Local Grind, Toodleydoo Toys, Upstairs Basement, Vintage Whimsy, Wardrobe Sisters and Wild Geese Bookshop
