Staycation Passport This summer, invite customers to join a“ Passport to Summer” in-store challenge, designed to make every visit fun and rewarding. Guests receive a special staycation passport booklet and can earn stamps by attending store events, purchasing devotionals, shopping featured departments, bringing friends or sharing their experience on social media. Once completed, passports can be entered into a grand prize drawing with family-friendly prizes such as a summer reading bundle, Bible journaling kit or faith and family night gift basket.
Road Trip Take customers on a literary adventure with a“ Road Trip Through America,” inspired by the timeless tradition of the American road trip. Customers can“ travel” from coast to coast through curated fiction collections and discover destination-inspired gifts and décor, as they celebrate the nostalgia of roadside diners, national parks, small-town charm and cross-country family adventures that have long defined the American summer experience. At New Life Christian Bookstore in Murray, KY, owner Karen Welch builds a“ Road Trip” display with puzzles and games for kids, as well as pickle ball gear for the family.
To make the experience even more memorable, the event can tie into themed days. Kim Burns from Living Room Christian Books & Gifts in Bastrop, TX, plans to have a“ Popsicle Day,” where every customer receives a free popsicle to capture the feeling of summertime.
Date Night at the Store Host a memorable after-hours“ Date Night at the Store” event where couples can enjoy a fun and interactive evening together through a themed scavenger hunt or bookstorestyle escape room experience. Guests can solve clues, complete challenges and explore different areas of the store while enjoying light refreshments. During the day, singles and young adults can participate in a“ Blind Date with a Book” experience, where books are wrapped in brown paper and labeled only with intriguing clues about the story. The mystery element entices customers to discover new stories.
Summer Reading Bible Challenge“ We know that in the heat of the summer, we will have a harder time getting folks in the door,” says Danelle Vanderzyden, owner of Pages of Grace, LLC, in Brenham, TX. To foster community engagement during the slow season, Pages of Grace will host a Summer Bible Reading Challenge from June 1- July 31. The program will feature two age groups— kindergarten through third grade and fourth through sixth grade— with sign-ups and reading trackers available for each group. Participants will complete four days of Bible reading each week, with parents signing off on their child’ s progress. At the end of each week, families can visit the store to receive a special weekly prize, with a different reward offered throughout the program to keep children motivated and excited.“ This will encourage parents to bring the kids by each week and get kids excited to read their Bible,” Danelle concludes. The Summer Reading Bible Challenge is a win-win.
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