POULSBO — Jim Bowden was all by himself in the Eleven Winery shop he manages in downtown Poulsbo. Middle of the week. A slow day. How to liven up downtown business on hump day?
He came up with an idea that is catching on faster than a 50-percent-off sale.
Bowden developed the downtown promotion “Boast Your Brass, Strut Your Stripes,” which gives military personnel and veterans 20 percent discounts in restaurants and retail stores on Wednesday, if they are in uniform. Dependent spouses with military ID will receive a 10 percent discount. Let’s say you take your Navy daughter and her husband out to lunch or dinner; if she’s in uniform and he has his military ID, the discounts apply.
As of Friday, 25 businesses had signed up to participate. It has yet to be launched, and Bowden will be presenting the project in full to the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association board on June 12.
“It’s a way to give our military personnel some sort of deal and, because they’ll be in uniform, it gives civilians a conduit to say thanks to them directly,” Bowden said.
Suzanne Droppert, owner of Liberty Bay Books, said all the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association board members were enthusiastic.
“We’ve done teachers’ [discount], and its kind of the same — they’re sacrificing themselves for our country,” she said. “It’s a great way to acknowledge and reward and thank them by giving them a discount.”
Participating businesses will post the “Boast Your Brass, Strut Your Stripes” logo in their windows, Bowden said. He plans to create a “Boast Your Brass, Strut Your Stripes” Facebook page, and is seeking ink in the Bremerton Patriot and military base newspapers.
Bowden said midweek is a good time for the promotion because military personnel are working and in uniform anyway, it will build relations between civilians and military personnel, and it will give downtown Poulsbo a midweek boost.
Sandy Kolbeins, president of the association and owner of The Loft restaurant, said they want military personnel to come down in their uniforms and “show off their colors.”
To participate in the promotion, contact Bowman at Eleven Winery, 18827 Front St., 697-1568.
