Occoquan Buck Popular In Town

The Occoquan Bucks program has been a success since starting last year, says the Occoquan Merchants Association President Kristyn Gleason.

More than 30 businesses accept the Occoquan Buck and shoppers can get a key tag at any of these businesses to make it easier to get the discount by scanning the card. All the customer has to do is sign up for the association's monthly newsletter.

Each time customers spend $10 or more, they can get $1 off if they are registered for the free program. Although $1 is the most a person can save, Gleason said the program is getting more popular.

 "As we found that we were growing we switched to the key-tag program," Gleason said. "It is virtually the same program, however this allows them not to have to worry about printing the [Occoquan Buck]."

Gleason, who is co-owner of the downtown store The Polka Dot Diva's, said she ordered 2,500 keytags.

"The response in my shop has been huge," she said. "I probably myself collected 100 email addresses. The reactions have been great.”

Gleason said the association is discussing offering through its monthly newsletter more discounts on events such as the ghost tours or on buying an Occoquan sweatshirt for those with the key tags.

The association has about 44 members who are all merchants trying to work together to improve the shopping experience for people in downtown Occoquan. Gleason said the Occoquan Buck program gave all merchants an opportunity to offer a discount to shoppers on an even playing field.

"Our goal is to unify the town merchants so we can group advertise," Gleason said.  "It is very hard for a smll business, especially in this econmy, to afford good marketing and advertising."

For more information on the Occoquan Buck program, visit this website.

Participating stores: 

Art A La Carte Artists'

Undertaking Gallery

Attic Treasures

Blue Arbor Café Bruce

Best Photography

Coffee House of Occoquan

Dansk Day Spa of Occoquan

Details of Occoquan

Glory Be

Irish Collection

Jewel Stonz

Jewelry Designs by Melisa Dent

Kelly's Artbox

Labella Bridal Boutique

Lil bit of Posh

Madigan's Waterfront

Occoquan Antiques

Off The Beading Path

Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe

Patriot Scuba

Peacock Road

Personally Yours

Pink Bicycle Tea Room

Polka Dot Diva's

Potomac Soap Company

Serendipity

Tastefully Yours

The Story Tellers

Touch Of Gold

Village Americana

Virginia Grill

Quinns'