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The Boring Store

August 12, 2009

The Boring Store

826CHI is a Chicago non-profit that teaches creative writing skills to kids and helps teachers inspire their students to write.

One of their fantastic fundraising strategies: They turned their storefront school into The Boring Store: No Longer Supplying Anything of Utility. Everyone in the neighborhood knows who they are and what they do. People stop on the street to take pictures. (Click the photo for a close-up.)

How many small retailers can say the same?

If people aren’t stopping in their tracks in front of your door, you’re missing the point. Close your store and start a direct mail business.

The whole reason you’re paying rent is to get people to come in and buy. Do whatever it takes to not be a boring store.

Here’s is a great example from The Guitar Store in Southampton England (photo by Glen Scott):

image

Tagged as: 826CHI, Glen Scott, Sernovitz, storefront marketing, The Boring Store, The Guitar Store, WOM, word of mouth, word of mouth marketing

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3 comments. Read them below or add one. (Trackback)

{ 3 comments }

Cassie Wallace August 12, 2009 at 11:27 am

I love the guitar shop!

Brian Block August 13, 2009 at 1:31 pm

Interesting… I just visited a sister store – 826 Valencia in San Francisco last week. It’s a pirate store. They also have a superhero store in Brooklyn and several other interesting ones around the country all with the same concept and same charity.

Ocala Webdesign August 14, 2009 at 9:23 am

Love the guitar store photo. What a great idea, and one that will leave a lasting impression. Just love it.

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