Excitingly, Fredericksburg VA Main Street, Inc. (FVMS) received a 2021 VMS Merit Award for Best Downtown Business Promotion, which recognizes a successful district-wide promotion event or marketing campaign designed to attract customers and increase revenue for local businesses.

Through the Scan & Love project, FVMS activated district storefronts by creating a digitally immersive experience telling a deeper story about shop owners and staff, while breaking down the barrier of the front door and inviting the consumer inside. It created curb appeal, brought Main Street to life and, most importantly, successfully supported businesses through sustained customer traffic and increased sales during the peak of the pandemic.

Custom storefront decals were created, showcasing the city’s skyline and featuring QR codes that linked directly to videos featuring each shop owner’s story. Two local businesses led the filming and graphic design, while a variety of service businesses, retail and restaurants volunteered their time for filming. Charitable volunteers led the social media campaign to promote the project. With a total budget of $7,500, raised from the 2020 Virginia Main Street Idea Pitch award and a $2,500 match from the City’s Economic Development Authority, the campaign stimulated a 500% subscriber increase of the FVMS YouTube channel and spurred a grand 1,390 views of the business videos driving new customers and sales to the participating businesses.

This business promotion is recognized for its clever approach to maintaining safety during the height of the pandemic, while engaging and driving customers through heartfelt stories to downtown businesses, even when businesses were closed. The project’s creative storytelling furthers the Main Street program mission and vision by encouraging economic growth while maintaining an eye on our historical roots!

Click here to view the recorded 2021 VMS Merit Award presentation!