PRESS
A new social media tool for local businesses
WCAX Burlington, Vermont - April 16, 2011
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Foursquare is a social media application that can be used to promote area businesses.
Jodi Whalen doesn't mind bragging about the great food at August First Bakery.
"Baguettes look great, we have hot paninis every day and today there's a new special with cranberry relish that's amazing," said Whalen.
But when it comes to her business Whalen has a secret ingredient, "I think we've been able to build genuine relationships with our customers that goes beyond what goes on at the counter.
Whalen uses, Twitter, Facebook and now Foursquare to chat with customers and promote her business.
"With traditional media you have deadlines that are days or weeks out but with social media you can get right on and say 'oh my gosh the best bread just came out of the oven it's hot come on down,'" said Whalen.
Burlington celebrated the first annual foursquare day, Saturday. Foursquare is a social media application, that acts as a virtual guest list which allows people to "check in" meaning they're physically at a location. It can be played as a game, whoever checks in the most gets to be the mayor of that location and sometimes receives benefits for helping to promote that business.
Even city officials are getting into it, "Just the other day I checked in to Ben & Jerry's and got three small cups for three dollars, one for me and one for each of my kids and that's a pretty good deal," said city councilor Ed Adrian.
Like with other social media you can check in online or on your smart phone.
Critics of Foursquare warn publishing your location online can be very dangerous. Time Magazine published an article last year called pleaserobme.com. Based on a website criticizing online oversharing. Local Business owners simply hope this social media day spreads the word.
At August First Bakery, it wasn't all about business, "Every time someone checks in today using foursquare we will donate $4 cash to king street," said Whalen.
That money helps kids attend overnight summer camp, "This is a huge deal to them a lot of these kids certainly wouldn't be able to go to camp on their own," said Susannah Kerest of the Kings Street Center.
So for those of you who thought this foursquare story would be about a playground game, it might do you some good to check in and check out a tool that's giving local businesses a boost.
Susie Steimle - WCAX News
_______________________________
Can you take a monster storm in stride?
WCAX Burlington, Vermont - March 7, 2011
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
It was midday Monday when a lot of people finally got around to braving what the monster storm left behind. Two feet of paralyzing snow turned busy downtown Burlington streets into cross-country ski trails. That dumping placed this storm at number three on Vermont's list of record heaviest winter snowfalls.
"The community really rallied," said Jodi Whalen of August First Bakery in Burlington.
The wallop took a bite out of business at August First, but the owners cooked up a generous alternative. Whalen and her husband, Phil Merrick, donated their day's normal run of bread, about 100 loaves, to Burlington homeless shelters and the Salvation Army.
"They had a lot of hungry people hanging around today, so it was kind of a good match," Merrick said. "We had extra bread and they had people who needed it."
"I've lived here almost 20 years," Whalen added. "And it's a lot of fun when it snows. It all depends on how you look at it. Yeah, it's a pain and you have to shovel out, but we chose to live here. And it's great.
That sense of neighbor helping neighbor continued online. Folks took to social media to share helpful hints on surviving the storm. "There were definitely a lot of people talking about the storm," said Nicole Ravlin, of PMG Public Relations.
Ravlin was watching Twitter at her downtown Burlington agency. Users were telling friends about road closures, the latest on airport delays, public safety warnings, and safe driving tips. "If it's a sunny day in July," Ravlin explained, "You see people sharing pictures from the waterfront or where the best place to get a beer outside on Church Street would be, but when it's snowy or there's some sort of emergency going on, people are reaching out to one another, and you can really sense the community we have here."
Dave MacLeod wanted to give the community something to smile about outside his King Street apartment. He spent hours sculpting a snow castle taller than he is, complete with pillars and several layers.
MacLeod was just about to plan his next touch when his creation fell apart. But even after all that work, he wasn't complaining.
Dave MacLeod: It was going to melt tomorrow or the day after anyway.
Reporter Jack Thurston: So you're just taking it in stride? Just like the storm?
MacLeod: Yup!
He says that's all you can do around here: just make the most of it and take what comes. "You've just got to deal with it," MacLeod chuckled, as he got to work removing his crumbled castle from the sidewalk.
And hey-- Spring's almost here... Right?
Jack Thurston - WCAX News
___________________________
Article in the Burlington Free Press about the August First Bread Bike
People's Palates: 2009 Edition
7 Nights readers weigh in on where to eat
August First – 5 stars 149 South Champlain Street, Burlington, 540-0060
“Nutrimens Amor” says: “Yesterday I was sitting at my desk trying to figure out what to eat for lunch … and was reminded of August First ... I am kind of a sandwich snob, having grown up in the NYC area. It did not disappoint! I ordered a curried chicken salad sandwich. There was a choice of baguette or sourdough … (continued)
