Merchants to Put Themselves on Map

A fold-up map that pinpoints local merchants and a multi-page booklet distributed statewide that promotes Barrington as a great place to visit may soon help to make visitors to local businesses.

“These are the two big projects coming up,” said Holly Smith, co-director of the Barrington Business Association (BBA) at a meet-and-greet at Tyler Point Grille Tuesday night, Feb. 7.

“I want to get the map out right away,” said Smith, owner of Hollies on the Avenue on Maple Avenue. “The booklet will take a little longer.”

“Because we don’t have a Main Street, we need the map,” said Lois Coppolino, owner of Daisy Dig’ins and the other co-director of the BBA. “It should be very worthwhile."

Merchants will purchase advertising space in the map to pay for its printing. It will be handed out in Town Hall and in other higher-traffic areas in Barrington and at events such as the annual CVS Charity Classic at the Rhode Island Country Club.

The multi-page booklet will be given to Chambers of Commerce in Providence and other cities and towns to hand out to visitors, said Smith. It will include advertising space that pays for its production and much more.

Other content, for instance, could include historic places, where to eat, the arts, what’s it like to live in Barrington, things to do and contact information for visitors.

“We’d like to look for some town support, as well,” said Smith.

Smith circulated a booklet done for Warren. It indicates that the town helped to sponsor it. The business group hopes to generate similar support.

The business association also is seeking nonprofit status, Smith said. And the merchants are considering creating banners with a “shop local” message to hang on the light poles on County Road.

“We’ll need to create a banner and present it to the Town Council for approval,” said Smith.

Coppolino said the brackets built and hung by the Rhode Island Country Club to promote the U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Championship last summer would be used for the banners.

“They’re still up there,” she said, a donation to the town.