Community Spotlight: Valentine’s Day on Main Street

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for Main Street’s to show their love for downtown businesses. We have collected examples of interesting and creative Valentine’s Day initiatives from around the country that are engaging communities, increasing foot traffic, and encouraging people to shop downtown this month.

Valdosta Main Street (Georgia)

Valdosta Main Street is promoting local businesses through their “Love Downtown Valdosta” marketing campaign. Valdosta residents can participate by visiting local downtown businesses, spending $25 or more, and then uploading their receipt through this page on Valdosta Main Street’s website. This will enter them into a drawing, and at the end of each week, Valdosta Main Street will draw a winner who will receive a $50 gift card for a local downtown business of their choice. They will also give a grand prize of $200 at the end of the month!

Downtown South Boston (Virginia)

‘Fall in Love with Downtown’ this month with South Boston’s Passport to Downtown! With the purchase of a qualifying item from a participating downtown business, participants receive a passport. Subsequent purchases will earn stamps in the passport. Residents are encouraged to collect many stamps to show their love for downtown all month long. At the end of the month, Downtown South Boston will award a gift basket to a lucky winner!

Discover St. Johnsbury (Vermont)

Looking for a unique date activity on Valentine’s Day? The Downtown Scavenger Hunt takes participants across St. Johnsbury using a series of clues. “Over the course of about an hour, it creates a sense of exploration and adventure, and helps folks show off—or grow—their local knowledge. We love that this activity highlights the unique history, culture, and points of interest worth discovering in downtown St. Johnsbury,” said Discover St. Johnsbury Director Gillian Sewake. Download the list of clues to get started. Participants can submit their entries at the end to receive a free #ILoveSTJ sicker!

Laramie Main Street (Wyoming)

Laramie’s Main Street is helping residents share the love for each other while also supporting Laramie’s Main Street program through their Adore-a-gram program. Residents can order one of three types of deliveries that include a valentine, a rose, and chocolate truffles from local business The Chocolate Cellar. Adore-a-grams will be hand delivered by Main Street volunteers, and proceeds support the amazing work done by Laramie Main Street.

Red Wing Downtown Main Street (Minnesota)

Have you ever wanted to write a love note to your favorite local business? Red Wing is celebrating Valentine’s Day by helping residents show their love for downtown businesses. People can submit ‘love notes’ showing their appreciation for a business, and Red Wing Downtown Main Street will display them on the windows at Mandy’s Coffee and Café. They will also hand deliver the notes to each business to make sure they really feel the love. Submit your note here >

Main Street Siloam Springs (Arkansas)

Siloam Springs’ Conversation Heart Scavenger Hunt is a fun, family-friendly way to get out and explore downtown! Participants pick up their first conversation heart at local business Ability Tree Art Studio and scan the QR code with their smartphone. This kickstarts an exciting scavenger hunt that will carries participants down Broadway Street through a series of clues. Finishers are entered into a drawing to win a Valentines Gift bundle.

Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Shop local across Pennsylvania for the opportunity to win big! From flowers and chocolates to romantic dinners and other outings, Valentine’s Day creates many opportunities to shop local. Participants can post a picture of Pennsylvania downtown business purchase all month and tag @pa_downtown_center with the hashtag #noplacelikelocal for the change to win a $100 gift card.

Celebrate this Valentine’s Day on Main Street! Share your Main Street Valentine’s Day with us on social media using the hashtag #MainStreetLove and tag us on Instagram and Twitter @NatlMainStreet.