MERIDIANVILLE -
The dip in the economy is making it difficult on several businesses.
Yet some are finding innovative ways to beat the times.
You've heard of billboard advertising, television ads, newspaper ads, but we're going to show you a different kind of approach a local restaurant decided to take to get folks in the door.
Think of it as "doggin for dollars."
Dressing up like a hotdog and waving to cars wasn't Lynn Tverberg's first choice of business for her restaurant, The Main Dish, but with today's economy it's on the top of her list.
"We have found that one of the first things that people are cutting out is you know going out to eat. So I came up with this hair brained idea to dress up as a hotdog and wave to customers," said Lynn Tverberg, The Main Dish owner. "We have a new pick up window."
That's not all the Meridianville restaurant is doing in this tough economic climate. They are also offering 99 cents kids meals to get people in the door.
"It's just anything to try to stimulate all the small businesses around here," said Tverberg. "I really feel that with us being in an area like this we all have to support local businesses."
That's why The Main Dish is working with other businesses in the community doing cross promotions. By emailing customers letting them know about specials going on at each business.
"You really have to think outside the box continually. Catering, just get your product out there," said Tverberg. "Dressed as a hotdog whatever it takes you have to do it these days."
So you maybe you're wonder if the hotdog outfit is a winner?
"Everyday when I come out here. people actually say oh, I didn't realize you were here. they wanted to come in for lunch and when they saw the hotdog they got hungry," said Tverberg.
As far as surviving the tough times.
"We'll do what it takes."
Lynn says she'll wear the hotdog costume as long as it takes for the economy to turn around.
The Main Dish is also keeping customers coming back by keeping the menu changing, the current item a quesadilla hamburger.
You've heard of billboard advertising, television ads, newspaper ads, but we're going to show you a different kind of approach a local restaurant decided to take to get folks in the door.
Think of it as "doggin for dollars."
Dressing up like a hotdog and waving to cars wasn't Lynn Tverberg's first choice of business for her restaurant, The Main Dish, but with today's economy it's on the top of her list.
"We have found that one of the first things that people are cutting out is you know going out to eat. So I came up with this hair brained idea to dress up as a hotdog and wave to customers," said Lynn Tverberg, The Main Dish owner. "We have a new pick up window."
That's not all the Meridianville restaurant is doing in this tough economic climate. They are also offering 99 cents kids meals to get people in the door.
"It's just anything to try to stimulate all the small businesses around here," said Tverberg. "I really feel that with us being in an area like this we all have to support local businesses."
That's why The Main Dish is working with other businesses in the community doing cross promotions. By emailing customers letting them know about specials going on at each business.
"You really have to think outside the box continually. Catering, just get your product out there," said Tverberg. "Dressed as a hotdog whatever it takes you have to do it these days."
So you maybe you're wonder if the hotdog outfit is a winner?
"Everyday when I come out here. people actually say oh, I didn't realize you were here. they wanted to come in for lunch and when they saw the hotdog they got hungry," said Tverberg.
As far as surviving the tough times.
"We'll do what it takes."
Lynn says she'll wear the hotdog costume as long as it takes for the economy to turn around.
The Main Dish is also keeping customers coming back by keeping the menu changing, the current item a quesadilla hamburger.
