A Collective
Voice
SANDPOINT SHOPPING DISTRICT WORKS TO BE THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN by Patty Hutchens
I
t’s the heart of a community. It is where tourists flock and locals gather. The downtown corridor provides the first impression for many who visit our town, and several local business owners have done much to make it thrive over the years. Recently, Sandpoint and the surrounding area have experienced a great deal of growth. With that growth came the formation of the Downtown Sandpoint Shopping District, with a mission to promote the downtown experience to both locals and visitors. The Sandpoint Shopping District organization includes 30 business owners who meet regularly to discuss events and issues that affect their businesses. Together, they have a collective voice and can maximize their advertising dollars while providing a wonderful experience for locals and tourists.
“In the past, we had various businesses participate in different promotions and events, which led to a lot of extra legwork,” said Deanna Harris, owner of Sharon’s Hallmark on First Avenue. In September of 2021, the group converted to an annual membership to cover events they hold: Apple Fest in October, Hometown Holidays events in November and December, an annual spring event, and Crazy Days in late July. “Membership also helps cover ads in several publications including Schweitzer Magazine,” said Harris of the district’s marketing efforts, which also include the recent hiring of a social media coordinator, Alyssa DuVall, who is responsible for posting content regularly. DuVall believes the Sandpoint Shopping District has set itself apart from the big box stores and what she calls the “generic cities” of this era. SandpointMagazine.com SANDPOINT M A G A Z I N E
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