‘Brunch & Bows’ encore set

Clinton has had one successful Sampson Strong Together Brunch and Bows event this year, and there is still another scheduled for later this month.

The first Sampson Strong Together Brunch & Bows event happened in Clinton and Roseboro on Aug. 29. There will be a second on Sept. 19 at Alfredo’s in Downtown Clinton, with a simultaneous event in Newton Grove at Parkside Grill, but the tickets for that event are already sold out. There are still tickets available for the Alfredo’s brunch.

“We felt like it went really well,” said City of Clinton Planning Director Mary Rose, who also serves as the Main Street Program manager. “In Clinton, we had 54 attendees and everyone seemed to really enjoy the brunch and just had a great time. They were very pleased with the swag bags. The feedback I got back from several businesses was very positive.”

Several businesses let Rose know that attendees did use their discount sheets and some shops gave reports of new clients in their stores.

“One business owner noted that without the event, their traffic would have been considerably slower that day compared to what is a typical August Saturday,” Rose continued.

The Small Business Saturday Committee decided to rebrand the event in honor of Sampson Strong, a campaign meant to help businesses in Sampson County gain foot traffic after the effects of COVID-19.

“Many of Sampson County’s small business owners are excited to welcome customers back into their shops after the recent events that occurred due to COVID-19,” Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce director Kiley stated in a past interview. “The Sampson Strong Together Committee, along with local businesses, are excited to move forward with an event that will get customers back into local stores while being able to safely social distance.”

This is the fifth year the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Main Street Program, Sampson Community College Small Business Center and many businesses across the county are coming together to promote shopping local in Sampson County. Clinton split what would normally be 100 tickets at Alfredo’s into two sets of 50 on two separate days. Rose noted that Clinton felt they could handle two separate days.

“In 2020 more than ever, our local retail businesses need support as a result of the impacts of COVID-19,” Rose, who serves as Clinton Main Street Program manager, noted.

Participating businesses who have committed to offering a discount on these shopping dates include:

• Clinton — Annadale’s Gifts & Fine China, Anointed Prints & Crafts, Art of Hope, Atrium Florist & Gifts, Berries & More, Bryant’s Florist & Thee Christian Bookstore, Country Threads, Elizabeth’s Garden & Gifts, High Cotton, Matthews Gifts, Parker & Company, Royal Gifts & Fine China, Sessoms Jewelry, Simply NC, Soaps by Jess, Tickled Pink Consignment and US Cellular.

• Newton Grove — Circle Florist & Gifts, Marsha’s Flowers & Décor and Simplicity Boutique & Beauty Bar.

“(Those) businesses understand the benefits of working together to the benefit of them all,” Rose stated. “Partnerships and working together will make Sampson Strong Together. We encourage any businesses to make contact with the Sampson Strong Together Committee by way of the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce if they are interested in participating in future events.”

Rose explained that participating retail businesses will once again be offering discounts that will be provided to all ticket holders in special SWAG bags full of discounts and other goodies. Advance tickets only are available at $20 each and may be purchased by calling the City of Clinton Planning Department at 910-299-4904. There are limited tickets available.

“In order to aid in attendees’ health and safety we are providing opportunities to social distance and have plated meals at all venues,” Rose released. “We also encourage all participants to bring their favorite mask as they support these small businesses.”

The Sampson Strong Together Committee encourages businesses to spread the word with their shoppers, at their church, down the street or anywhere they can. It does not cost local businesses anything to participate in the event and the committee is hoping they will reap all the benefits of having more customers step through their doors on these dates. The committee explained that the event is an effort to help businesses recover some of the lost revenues during the COVID-19 closures.

According to the Sampson Strong Together Committee, Kent Daughtry of Professional Insurance Services on behalf of Eric Insurance has donated a $1,000 check to Clinton Development Corporation to be used to purchase hand sanitizers which will be included in all event SWAG bags this year.

“We in Newton Grove are very excited to be participating in this event,” said Amanda Bradshaw, Planning & Zoning administrator for the Town of Newton Grove. “The town has so much to offer, and any exposure we can bring is a wonderful thing. Always remember to shop local.”

Rose noted that she is working with the Sampson Strong Together Committee and the Small Business Saturday Committee on plans for Small Business Saturday but plans are not finalized as of yet. A tentative date is set for Saturday, Nov. 28.

“We’re really looking forward to that,” Rose stated.