Althea,

Yes, you and I may be the only ones on this network familiar with Middletown, CA. You know that this town is pretty much a drive-thru on a state highway. We have in fact talked about this problem many times before. The town of Calistoga is south of Middletown on the same state highway. However, because the town has a very different design, the traffic stops and people shop. People just drive through Middletown. They don't stop to shop. The layout of the town is simply not amenable to it. Sometimes I think this is more an oddity than anything else. And, I am not the only one who feels that way.

While a billboard might work, I don't think that is a top priority with my client. Why? Because the huge canvas banner at the center intersection of town, which brings together Hwy. 29 and Hwy. 175, does not seem to do any good. It promotes our town hall meetings every month. After more than a year using that banner we still have a difficult time getting folks to attend. Either people are not paying attention to what is in front of their face; or, they simply just don't care about this place. I suppose the truth could also be a combination of both of those reasons.

My client wants specific businesses prospected - especially the county's top wineries for his take-out chicken. There are no wineries located in Downtown Middletown. They are all in outlining areas. It would take considerable time to visit all of the Lake County wineries. Monday through Friday (and sometimes Saturday), I am not freely available to visit anybody between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. So, you can count me out when it comes to traveling to 50 businesses to deliver a laminated invitation. But, I am more than willing to make phone calls - both before and after the invitation is delivered - before the hours of 9:30 a.m. and after 4 p.m. (By the way, tomorrow it is going to take me nearly two hours just to pick up printing in Clearlake, because there is no printer in Middletown that can do what I need done.)

Your suggestion about the purchasing of magnetic white boards is excellent. As soon as my client decides what his chicken menu specials are going to be throughout the week, I think those magnet white boards could come in very handy. Think about it. Broaster Chicken Take-out menus printed across the bottom of magnet white boards. I am going to make that suggestion, anyway. I believe the high school across the street from the convenience store has about 50 classrooms. One magnetic white board per classroom could go a long way toward reminding students that Store 24 Express is the chicken place.

Lamar Morgan
CDMM
1-877-238-2280
Power Networking - http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=18

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