FAQs

Q: What is HOP + SHOP?

A: Hop + Shop is a two day holiday event established in 2017 run by and run for the local businesses of Beacon, NY.  

A 2 DAY, *ALL DAY* EVENT FOR BEACON LOCALS, & DISCOUNTS, SPECIALS, SALES, RAFFLES, FUNDRAISERS + EXTENDED SHOPPING HOURS! 

 Hop + Shop was created to highlight the hardworking small businesses that make our city a community. To give locals plenty of time to walk our mile+ Main Street and beyond, this event stretches over two full days during the week when there's plenty of parking and less traffic. And thanks to our sponsors and amazing volunteers, this event is free to all businesses on Main Street who choose to sign up.

All businesses are encouraged to participate in whatever way makes the most sense for their individual businesses' needs. Get creative! You could offer a limited time sale, announce a new offering, launch a new item, highlight something you’re proud of and known for, extend your hours, feature a special guest or pop up, raffle off a prize, include free local delivery, turn it into a fundraiser where every sale gives back etc. The idea is to feature something that might spark interest in your local clientele and get them excited about shopping small and supporting their community this holiday season! 

Q. How much does it cost to partake?

A. You can sign up for FREE, we are relying on the incredible support of sponsors and volunteers to cover the cost of all promotional materials and to keep this website up and running. 

Q: Do I have to stay open late to participate?

A: Yes, participating businesses are encouraged to stay open until 8pm (or later)

Q: How do I sign up?

A: Sign up by filling out the form on the menu page, signing up your business:

To qualify, you must be a business with a commercial brick + mortar space that is open to the public.

Q.How do I become a volunteer?

A: Please use this form to contact us from our home page. Scroll to the bottom to access the contact form. If you wish to volunteer your time for this event. We are looking for help hanging up posters, handing out flyers, posting to instagram, updating our website, writing beautiful copy for free press, etc. 

Q: Is there something I can post to help promote the event?

A: Encourage your following to visit the website when our map goes live or tell them about our instagram page so they can share in the excitement as businesses are featured and announced. Please tag @HopAndShopBeacon & use hashtag: #hopandshopbeacon2024.  In addition, social media promotional images will be sent out to use once you sign up. You can go ahead and announce your excitement on all social media feeds, instagram stories and personal emails to your email list seem to work the best. 

Q: When does the event start?

A: All day Thursday and Friday. Opening hours of participation are up to the business’ preference and will end at 8pm. 

Q: Can I offer food and drink as a part of my promotion?

A: Yes, but we will not promote it unless you are a bar or restaurant. References to food or alcohol outside of bar & restaurants will not be included in your listing or featured on your instagram post on the instagram page @HopAndShopBeacon

Q: Will the event still happen if it rains or snows?

A: Yes.

Q: Will we be handing out maps?

A: No we will not be handing out maps, we are using a QR code that patrons can sync on their cell phones.

Q: How do I sponsor this event? ? More Questions?

A: We are taking Sponsorships for 2024. If you would like to become a 2024 Sponsor please go to the home page and scroll down to the contact form. 

Up to date news: October 25th, 2024:

participation details for Hop + Shop, happening Thursday, December 5, and Friday, December 6:

1. Hours: If you’re participating, please plan to stay open until at least 8 PM on both days to provide a consistent experience for shoppers. While 8 PM is the minimum, feel free to remain open later—until 9 or even 10 PM if it suits your business and you’d like to extend the event atmosphere. Opening hours remain flexible based on your usual business hours.
2. Promotion: You have complete control over promoting your business’s participation in Hop + Shop. You’re encouraged to begin talking about Hop + Shop on social media to build excitement as early as today, even if promotional materials are not yet available. Feel free to use copy/screenshots from the website, express your enthusiasm, and educate your followers on the event. You can link to the Hop + Shop Instagram page as well to encourage followers to stay updated on raffle details and other offers and news. All helpful links are located at the bottom of this email.
   For early promotion, start the conversation, tag us, and we’ll help cross-promote by resharing. If you don’t have a social media page, you can spread the word directly to your customers or create in-store flyers. Your approach is entirely up to you, and each mention helps build momentum!
3. Promotional Materials: We will provide reusable promotional assets for Reels, Stories, and posts. Posters and additional materials will be distributed at a later date (TBD), but if pickup times don’t align with your schedule, you’ll be able to retrieve them from several Main Street locations open seven days a week. We will distribute these materials after finalizing our sponsors. We will release when they are ready and what locations have these items ready for pick up. Sponsorship is $300 and includes prominent visibility on our website and all event promotions. If interested, please reach out ASAP, as we’re finalizing content soon. If sponsorship spots fill up like they have done in the past, we’ll keep you in mind for next year.
4. Punchcard/Raffle: To encourage shopping at multiple stores, we’re introducing a punchcard system. If you’d like to donate a raffle item, it would be a fantastic incentive, and your item will be highlighted on our Instagram.
5. Website Listing: Businesses who register (register here: https://form-builder-en.pifyapp.com/form/s/24459) will be listed on our website as participants. We update this list every 3–5 days starting on Monday, so the sooner you sign up, the longer your business will have exposure on the website. This year, we no longer ask for your promotions up front, so you can simply confirm your participation now without needing to know your specific offers yet. Whenever you decide to promote your specials is entirely up to you. Since we’re not listing promotions on the website, the sign-up process is easier than ever. Let us know if you’re in, so we can start letting people know you’re part of Hop + Shop!
6. Location Flexibility: For businesses off Main Street, you can participate from your current location or collaborate with a Main Street business if that suits you. Choose what aligns best with your business strategy.
7. Additional Festive Elements: If anyone has the connections or resources to bring in carolers, musicians, or any type of performance to enhance the festive atmosphere, please let us know! While we don’t currently have these resources in place, any help in making Hop + Shop more festive would be greatly appreciated.
8. End-of-Event Gathering: I’d also love to have a collective space to gather on Friday night to celebrate the success of Hop + Shop! If you know of a venue that can accommodate a larger group and is willing to host an informal, pay-your-own-way gathering for both participants and shoppers, please let us know. Ideally, it would be an indoor venue in case of rain or snow. This would be a wonderful way to wrap up the event and celebrate our community’s support.

This year’s event, as in years past, will run over two days to encourage locals to explore all areas of Main Street and beyond. We deeply value Main Street’s growth and are committed to making Hop + Shop inclusive. If you know a neighboring business that might want to join, please pass along this invitation to them as well.

Thank you all for your insights and your support in making Hop + Shop an event that reflects our city’s unique talent and business community. Feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or further ideas. Future meet ups will be announced soon! 

Best,

https://hopandshopbeacon.com/

https://www.instagram.com/hopandshopbeacon/

https://form-builder-en.pifyapp.com/form/s/24459 (sign up here)