Shop on Main – A shopping community to help small businesses!

Have you heard of Shop on Main? I hadn’t until recently, but after learning a bit about how it works, I am smitten. You see, I always try to patronize small, family owned stores whenever possible. I do this for several reasons. Small shop/business owners work about twice as hard as the big companies to bring in new customers. They don’t have the same advertising budget, which puts them at a disadvantage. Many times these same companies cannot afford to hire many employees, so they take the brunt themselves and work long, tedious hours.

My dad owned a small business and I worked with him for a few years. It was very hard to get people to notice us, as we were the “little” guys. But we worked our tails off and we were successful until my dad fell ill. I think this is why I have such a deep appreciation for families and individuals who decide to take on a business of their own, competing with big stores.

I was delighted to learn about Shop on Main, a website launching in a few months that will feature the types of stores typically found on a downtown main street. Not only will ShopOnMain.com be helping these smaller, unique businesses, it give shoppers like you access to stores that you might not find on your own. And when you join the First Shoppers Club (it’s free!), you will receive exclusive benefits like coupons and promotions.

Here are a few of the lifetime perks you will receive when you sign up for Shop on Main:

-Lifetime Free upgraded shipping at every store on the site (which can save you thousands of dollars over time).
-Early access to new vendors (for a lifetime), site innovations and new developments. You’ll get to know what is happening on “Main Street” before the rest of the world! They will also take your input and ideas into consideration.

You will receive advanced notice of special promotions, sales, discounts & more. After all, you won’t want to miss out on big savings that you’ll need to act upon quickly!
You will get surprise gifts randomly! I love surprises, so naturally this makes me very happy. I frequently use coupons and store credits/rewards. Not only that but there are exclusive bonuses & discounts especially for Shop on Main members.

Double rewards points! Whenever you find something that you can earn points on (or rewards), Shop on Main will DOUBLE them.

Just for fun: You will receive recognition with an icon by your profile/avatar in the Shop On Main community. Other shoppers will know that when they see you, they are in communication with someone who really knows their stuff (*ahem – VIP).

Shop on Main wants to build a community of like-minded shoppers. Building a successful community requires involved participants, and this is where you come in. You can help the small businesses, and help other in the community. Shop on Main will listen to your ideas and reward you (even with rewards that haven’t been thought up yet!). They do this to show their appreciation for your help and input. I think they are pretty nice!

Shop on Main has some big plans coming up – make sure you check them out (I am seriously impressed – these are great ideas they will be incorporating). They are also looking for feedback so please feel free to leave a comment on their “Planning Zone” page (linked above).

Here are a couple of planned projects just to give you an idea of what they have in mind for the future:

Your Neighborhood
Isn’t it about time online shopping got social?

In the very near future, you’ll be able to add your favorite Shops to your Neighborhood. You’ll be able to choose how much of your Neighborhood is public, and what you want to keep for your eyes only. You can add Neighbors who can see Shops and items you share with them, and vice versa.

The Shops in your Neighborhood will have a news feed, so you can see when they add new items or put items on sale. Just like you would if they were in your physical neighborhood.

Window Shopping Other Neighborhoods
Ever been to Portland? If not, maybe you’d like to see what it’s like to shop there.

“Neighborhood Browsing” will be a special kind of search you can do from the search bar at the top of every page. You’ll be able to enter a city name or a zip code and voila! All the Shops in that area will show up. And with our unique “Storefront Windows” you’ll have the closest experience you can get to window shopping that area – any time of the day or night! And to help get a real feel for that area, you’ll get local pictures mixed in with your results, cool facts about the town or its history. It will be (almost) like an actual visit.

If you love saving money and getting great deals as much as I do, I highly encourage you to sign up at Shop on Main FREE Shoppers Club asap!

Although Shop on Main won’t be launching until this fall, you definitely want to get in early, as it will be one of the most unique online shopping experiences in the world. YOU can help shape Shop on Main!

Join an Exclusive FREE Club with Never-Ending Shopping Rewards! They are offering moms like you the opportunity to receive exclusive benefits by joining the free First Shoppers Club and entering drawings for dozens of prizes.

To get started on your shopping, make sure you enter the Shop on Main giveaway here at Eighty MPH Mom, where you can win a $250 Visa Gift Card!

Follow Shop on Main to keep up to date on important announcements and promotions!
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