A nationwide press release announced this new program. The Go Downtown program launches as part of the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s ongoing Why I Go Downtown initiative to encourage participation in local shopping, dining and entertainment. The new Go Downtown app uses game-based techniques similar to Pokemon Go to encourage downtown shoppers to “check-in” at local businesses.
“We’re thrilled that SnowShoe chose Olympia for this pilot,” says Todd Cutts, Executive Director of Olympia Downtown Alliance. “Downtown Olympia is a vibrant area with hundreds of independent local businesses, and we hope everyone comes back downtown this summer as retail rebounds in Olympia.”
Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby hopes that consumers will embrace the program. “Olympia residents and visitors alike are enthusiastic supporters of local business,” says Selby. “SnowShoe’s new program adds a fun gamification experience to buying local, and it offers us a way to thank people for coming downtown and encourage them to come again.”
“I’m excited to see people returning to our downtown,” says Kae Stair of Compass Rose. “Our Historic Downtown Olympia district is lucky to have such a close knit community of shops, restaurants, and everything in between, so being able to easily recommend and support our other local small businesses.”