Dimond Neighborhood News
The Shop Dimond Doorknob Bag Coming Soon!

by Melissa McElvane

The Dimond Merchant Association has developed a unique collaborative marketing campaign for the businesses in the Dimond shopping district. The Shop Dimond doorknob bag may be on your knob soon.

The bag will include a mix of coupons and information about local businesses in the district. Inside, you'll find offers from our local natural pet food and bathhouse, restaurants, clothing boutiques, hair salons, a children consignment boutique, automobile services, cellular phone companies, an interior design studio, and more.

The Merchant Association hopes to continue to develop this idea as the residents of Dimond respond positively to it. The bags will be distributed to approximately 500 Dimond residents' doorknobs each month, and this number may increase as the "goodie" bag becomes watchfully expected by the residents. The word is getting out, and so far the response has been positive. Lori Hope, an over-10-year resident of the neighborhood, says, "This is a great way to encourage residents to get out and walk around, explore, and support the community businesses"

Most merchants in the Dimond have been thrilled about this idea because it is a low-cost advertising option to market their businesses directly to the people who live right in the community. Tamieka Spriggs of Take a Moment, a new body-care boutique, who will be opening her doors next month at 2712 MacArthur, loves the idea. "This gives me a wonderful opportunity to introduce my products while thanking Dimond residents who do business within the community." Similarly, Darchell Hamilton of Suede boutique, 2710 MacArthur, is excited about this opportunity to let Dimond residents know that she has reopened in her new, beautifully designed, larger location and will be celebrating her one-year anniversary next month. "I am excited about being able to showcase seasonal fashion trends while letting my customers know about my new lines as they arrive."

The bag cover insert is currently being designed by a local artist, Amy Jo Karn, who is inspired by the arts and crafts of her native state of New Mexico, as well as by the Expressionist and Fauvist painters of the late 19th century. Color drives her compositions, and her cover design will surely be colorful and full of energy and will undoubtedly stimulate recipients to explore what they find inside. Approximately, 15 to 20 merchants will be participating, and the first distribution date is tentatively scheduled for early April.

If you are a Dimond merchant and would like to include information about your business in the bag, or a resident who wants to make sure you receive a fully assembled bag, please contact Melissa McElvane of the Soulful Oasis, 531-3680.

Dimond Merchant member Melissa McElvane is owner of The Soulful Oasis, 2006 MacArthur Blvd., your Dimond interior design company.