Businesses react to Eldersburg's $20 on the 20th
October 27, 2009
Eric Villard

October 20 marked Eldersburg’s first ever $20 on the 20th event, where residents were encouraged to spend $20 at local establishments to help support the town’s economy.

Listen to what businesses had to say about the initiative:

The economic initiative was the idea of Doug Howard, owner of BDG Entrepreneur Factory. He, along with the Freedom Area Citizens’ Council and the South Carroll Business Association, hosted the event. While unique in Eldersburg, the idea was borrowed from a similar initiative Howard had come upon in Alabama.

“I decided that it was worth trying in our area,” Howard said. “When I started explaining to people in the area, the response was very positive so we set a date and did our best with this first attempt.”

He added, “I firmly believe that Carroll County can benefit by looking for ways to support local small business, not with rhetoric, but with real ideas to drive business in their direction.”

Altogether about 25 locally-owned businesses actively participated on Tuesday with various specials to entice residents to come and shop. The specials ranged from restaurants such as Habib’s Kabob giving all-encompassing discounts to beauty parlors and nail salons like Lek and Amie’s offering discounts on nail treatments.

Did you miss the event? Fear not, Howard mentioned that he is planning to have another $20 on the 20th in February – only this time he will try to take it countywide.

The business’ opinions

Businesses had mixed views on the effectiveness of the economic initiative. In the end it seemed that those who had greater awareness among the populace before the 20th benefited more from the day than those who have flown under the radar of many residents.

Ink Again is a printer specialty shop located at 1522 Liberty Rd., tucked away behind a storefront next to the Liberty Station shopping center, that offer the unique service of refilling ink cartridges. While, according the owners Gary and Julie Campbell, they did normal business on the 20th, they mentioned that it was no more than usual and that the customers did not mention the specials that were in the initiative.

Though this was the case, Gary Campbell said the increased awareness brought by the initiative was good for the business. “Even though we didn’t have any participants … at least they know that we’re out here,” he said.

Other businesses saw the initiative as building camaraderie among the local shops. Michelle Esworthy, who works at Nevrkno, a women’s clothing shop off of Enterprise Street, thought the initiative brought a togetherness to the small business community in Eldersburg. “We’re all struggling in this economy and its good to team up with other people to promote business and get people out there to buy stuff,” she said.

What can be done different next time? The Campbell’s mentioned that a map displaying local businesses involved in the measure could help interested residents find them without much effort. Nearly all of the other businesses spoken to said increased publicity would have helped the initiative have more kick.