April 24, 2013 By Christian Murray
Sunnyside Shines, the local business improvement district, is launching a marketing campaign that aims to promote local stores, restaurants and nightlife throughout the month of May.
The BID has joined forces with 33 businesses in the neighborhood to promote “Hoppin’ Thursdays”, where each establishment will offer discounts and deals every Thursday during the month. The participating businesses and specific deals can be found on the Sunnyside Shines website.
The bars, for example, will offer a “buy one, get one free” special on Thursday nights, with a limit of one drink special per customer, per night. Each bar will determine what its featured drink will be.
Raul Jimenez, the owner of Pink Icing Bake Shop
Pat Burke, the owner of The Courtyard Ale House, one of the participating bars, is offering “buy one, get one free” on all craft beers on Hoppin’ Thursdays.
In other promotions, Raul Jimenez, the owner of Pink Icing Bake Shop, is offering a free cupcake or small coffee with the purchase of $5 or more, between 3pm-5pm each Thursday. Jimenez hopes the campaign will draw more attention to his baked goods.
Participants will receive Hoppin’ Thursdays cards at each of the participating businesses.
When customers purchase a Hoppin’ Thursdays deal, they will receive a stamp on the back of their card. Customers who purchase five Hoppin’ Thursdays deals from different establishments during the month will be eligible to enter a sweepstakes to win a flat screen TV, iPad mini or a Kindle Fire.
Hoppin’ Thursdays is also being co- sponsored by Sunnyside’s Boulevard Bars, a group of 10 bars and restaurants located on or near Queens Blvd.
Rachel Thieme, executive director of Sunnyside Shines, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with
Nick Murphy
Sunnyside’s Boulevard Bars.” She also said that “businesses have been very creative with their Hoppin’ Thursdays deals.”
Nick Murphy, a co-owner of Bar 43 and a member of Sunnyside’s Boulevard Bars, said, “It is great to see Sunnyside Shines taking the initiative to work with our organization and others to offer the people of Sunnyside a great reason to go out and get acquainted with local businesses.”
