Barrington Shoppers Map on Tap

Shoppers will soon have a free map to help guide them to dozens of Barrington’s businesses.

The Barrington Business Association finalized plans Tuesday evening to create a full-color, 11x17-inch map that folds down for a pocket. The map will include several dozen business listings with a key to finding each one.

Ads sold to businesses along with the listings will pay for the map. Copies will be distributed to stores, banks, realtors, restaurants, the public library and in Town Hall.

The maps also will be made available to golf and soccer tournaments held in Barrington each year, the farmers’ market at the White Church, the East Bay Chamber of Commerce and visitors’ centers in Rhode Island.

The map will be printed by The Bay, a publication of ProvidenceOnline.com.  It will be ready for distribution by mid-May. The advertising deadline is in about four weeks: April 12.

Contact liz@providenceonline.com or call 401-339-3391 if you want to advertise in the map.

The business association also plans to do a membership drive for the next year, which runs from June to June. Cost of an annual membership is $52. If you join now, you will get a couple of months for free.

BBA members also discussed organizing a fall festival for Oct. 20.

Pumpkin painting and carving contests, hay rides, booths and displays, and a scavenger hunt for costume-wearing kids and their parents were among the festival events tossed about Tuesday night.

The festival also would be used as a kick-off for the second Passport to Savings holiday promotion that launched last year.

Tuesday’s meeting was hosted by the Peacock & Parade art education studio in the Barrington Shopping Plaza.