Franklin businesses launch Lady Bug Trek scavenger hunt
By Heather McCarronhmccarron@wickedlocal.com
FRANKLIN -- A mobile app-assisted scavenger hunt through more
than a dozen small Franklin businesses is getting underway today,
Friday, June 12 and will continue through the end of the month.
The Lady Bug Trek is the first collaborative activity of the recently
formed Franklin Small Shop Co-op, featuring special offers from
participating businesses and a chance at a grand prize of $1,100
in gift cards.
"We created the Small Shop Co-op for small businesses to
collaborate, so this was sort of born out of that," said Tracie
Turinese, co-owner of The Cake Bar in downtown Franklin.
A total of 15 businesses are part of the fun, including Franklin
Liquors, Franklin Yoga & Wellness, Salon Sorella, Making Whoopie,
Emmas Quilt Cupboard, Mac Deli, The Cake Bar, Hillside Nurseries
& Farm, Elizabeth's Bagels, Terrazza, Pretty is Pink, NHS Printing,
Daddario Hardware, Franklin Art Center and Jane's Frames.
"We are partnering with the City Trek folks," said Turinese. "They
are providing the smart phone app that will allow people to
participate in the scavenger hunt."
She explained that the hunt involves simply downloading the app
for free atladybug.citytrek.com -- the app is for Android and iOS
phones and tablets. Then they visit the various businesses in
search of clues. There is one clue at each location. For example,
The Cake Bar might prompt visitors to find the name of the
owners' favorite cupcake in the artwork on display in the shop.
Hunters "have to come in to solve the clue and they type the
answer into the Smart Phone app, and then they get coupons and
prizes for that particular business," Turinese explained. "They do
that with all 15 of the businesses. And then, depending on how
many clues they get right, they get more and more chances to
win the grand prize, which is 1,100 in business gift cards."
She said the Lady Bug Trek is "meant to just be fun."
"You don't have to buy something when you come in. It’s nothing
like that, though obviously that would be great," Turinese said.
The idea is to let people get to know some of the town's small
businesses and, hopefully, keep them in mind when shopping or
seeking services in the future.
Turinese is excited about the hunt and hopes people download
and play.
"Ultimately, it’s fun for the people who participate," she said,
"and it’s a promotion for all the businesses that participate."