Naperville, Illinois (population 128,400) is running a cool event to get shoppers more involved with downtown retailers. Shoppers are encouraged to be on the lookout for Leon (Noel spelled backwards), a special holiday polar bear who's hidden in storefront window displays.Shoppers might find Leon tucked inside a pair of shoes, in a coat pocket, reading a book or having lunch at any one of downtown Naperville's shops and restaurants. There isn't a big prize for finding Leon, just a whole lot of family fun. But kids can register to win a Leon bear of their very own inside participating businesses. (Opportunity: Sell them something while they're there! Work that mailing list!)
Put this in your "Ideas and Things-to-Do List for Holiday 2008" -- it's a great way to bring attention to a shopping area that might be over-shadowed by malls and strip centers. There's advantages to partnering with your fellow retailers!
