Shops hope eight weeks of prizes will lure patrons

In efforts to entice shoppers into their stores during St. Charles' planned closure of the intersection of First and Illinois Streets, the businesses in Fox Island Square (southeast corner of the intersection) have announced a special "Make Tracks to 1st Street" promotion that features weekly prize drawings.

According to Zita Harmon, owner of the Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop and campaign coordinator, the prizes -- and the participating shops -- are definitely worth making the trips.

"Each week, beginning on Saturday, we will be giving away a prize donated by one of our businesses," Harmon said. "And these prizes are quite attractive, including a Schwinn Frontier Mountain Bike from The Bike Shop, a $450 frozen custard party from Gramp's Frozen Custard for a personal, business or neighborhood event, and a $300 assortment of fine wines from The Wine Exchange. You can see these prizes are both valuable and appealing."

Harmon points out that other businesses participating are Blue Goose Market, Fox Valley Cleaners, Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop, Sage Bistro and Shodeen Management, which owns Fox Island Square.

"And the grand prize features several items packaged together, including dinner for four at Sage Bistro, a night at the Herrington Inn from Shodeen Management, a selection of fine cigars from the Bull & Bear and a delectable fruit and cheese basket from the Blue Goose," Harmon said.

The business owners are working with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership to present this special eight-week promotion in part to combat the slow economy, but especially to entice shoppers to continue to patronize their businesses during the First Street re-development project.

Construction has begun in earnest on several aspects of the five-block project; the installation of needed infrastructure and reconstruction of the intersection of First and Illinois Streets will result in a projected eight-week closure of the intersection.

Harmon is quick to point out shoppers will still have easy and open access to the businesses in Fox Island Square and along First Street.

"The Illinois Street bridge will remain open during that time, allowing people to reach us from the east side of the river using the bridge and parking in the north lot, directly in front of our stores," she says. "And of course, First Street is open from Illinois all the way south to Prairie, so people can park in our south lot or along First Street itself. There is a lot of new parking right on the street."

There also is parking available on the west side of First Street, south of Illinois Street.

"We want people to 'make tracks to First Street' to experience first-hand the exciting improvements already made in the area," Harmon explains.

"As business owners, we know it can sometimes be difficult to reach us through or around the construction. But we appreciate the support and loyalty of our customers and residents, and this eight-week promotion is our way of saying 'thank you' for the support."

For every purchase made in any of the participating stores, the buyer can fill out an entry form that will be used for that week's prize drawing. To be eligible for any given week's prize drawing, people must make a purchase within that specific week. "All entries will be collected and entered for the final grand prize drawing, so even if you don't win a weekly prize, you're still entered for the grand prize," Harmon says.

The complete list of prizes, participating businesses and prize drawing dates is:

• Saturday -- $240 Schwinn Frontier Mountain Bike, and tickets to four Kane County Cougars games, courtesy of The Bike Shop and Shodeen Management.

• May 17 -- $50 gift cards to Blue Goose Market, four winners, courtesy for Blue Goose Market.

• May 24 -- $400 cigar lover's package (25 cigars, humidor and smoking accessories), courtesy of Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop.

• May 31 -- $300 gift certificate for dry cleaning services, courtesy of Fox Valley Cleaners.

• June 7 -- $450 frozen custard party for personal, business, neighborhood, etc., vent, courtesy of Gramp's Frozen Custard.

• June 14 -- Charm Glow 12,000 BTU Heavy Gauge, Stainless Steel Gas Grill, with side burner; also includes Omaha Steak gift package, courtesy of Sage Bistro.

• June 21 -- $300 assortment of fine wines, from The Wine Exchange.

• June 28 -- Grand prize drawing. Includes dinner for four at Sage Bistro, a night at Herrington Inn (courtesy of Shodeen Management), a selection of fine cigars from Bull & Bear Tobacco Shop, and a fruit and cheese basket from Blue Goose Market.

For more information about the "Make Tracks to 1st Street" promotion, stop in or call any of the participating businesses, or visit the Downtown St. Charles Partnership's Web site at www.dtown.org.