The welcome wagon is strong in New Canaan with the Town Greeter taking business to the door steps of new residents to promote what the locale has to offer.
Stephanie Radman, owner and operator of The Town Greeter in New Canaan, reopened the business a friend had previously owned, then called The Welcome Wagon.
The business welcomes new renters and homeowners to the town by making personal trips to homes and giving out information packets about the town, hand out coupons and promotional items, and give out gifts such as a $30 gift certificate from a local florist, a $10 gift card from a local restaurant, a tote bag or care items from the town dermatologist.
“It”™s nice to have someone who can lead the way,” Radman said. “Someone to show you where the best sandwich is. I have over 55 of the local businesses on board. I am very happy to be promoting the local merchants and service providers. It also allows me to showcase more than 25 local non-profit agencies.”
Each business pays Radman a flat fee, which is based on the amount of newcomer households she covers. She averages 20 new residents each month.
Robert Mauborgne, owner of RAM Electrical Contractors in New Canaan, said a business like The Town Greeter shows the personalized town atmosphere of a place like New Canaan,
“It”™s truly is a classic New England town, one of the great places to live,” Mauborgne said. “Just like anywhere, if you”™re in business, you”™re looking for business. Being part of something like this helps you stand out around here.”
Radman said she likes to keep one of each specific business category on her lists.
“You don”™t want to confuse people,” Radman said.
Mauborgne who recently signed up with the program said he think the model will show its true value as the housing market recovers.
“The service provides newcomers with many different ways to become involved in the community, something that you know if you”™ve ever moved anywhere new, can be very hard,” Radman said.
The business has recently created a website, www.thetowngreeter.com, allowing interested businesses to reach out, and a listing of endorsed business to be viewed.
“I think that, especially in this world of computers, the Internet and mobile technology, a friendly local face will go very far as a wonderful welcoming gesture to those who are new,” she said.
Radman said she is constantly networking and keeps an eye on the property transactions, as well as talks to real estate brokers.
Though the business is now only focused on New Canaan, she hopes to soon expand the model into other Fairfield County towns.
