DNA poll: Monthly trolley hop & shop schedule?

There's another poll at Develop New Albany's web site, this time about the monthly trolley hop & shop schedule. I voted for Friday nights. Recognizing that the trolley idea is intended to swing business toward downtown retail, it seems to me a better bet to tie late shop closings to the evening of the week guaranteed to have eaters and drinkers already out and about.

MONTHLY TROLLEY HOP & SHOP SCHEDULE

Downtown and Uptown Hop & Shop events take place once a month in Historic New Albany. Participants hop on the trolley and visit shopping stops on the route.

On what day and time would you be most likely to participate on a Hop & Shop Event?

New Albany Hop and Shop trolley is this Saturday, April 13.

The coming Saturday is April 13, the second Saturday of the month, meaning the Hop & Shop trolley service is being offered during the afternoon. Rather than promote it by linking to the usual sources, I've found an independent testimonial. To me, the trolley idea isn't perfect, but it's good, with the intent being to stage family-friendly events and emphasize retail shops, as opposed to dining and drinking establishments. Perhaps an enterprising entrepreneur might introduce the concept of BYOF ... Bring Your Own Flask.

Review of New Albany Hop and Shop, at Louisville Family Fun

On the second Saturday of each month, New Albany is offering a Hop and Shop trolley service. A trolley will bring you door to door of participating businesses around New Albany for free! The point is to be introduced to the businesses of New Albany, as well as improve the local economy.

Hop, shop and bestow tribute on DNA ... tomorrow.

Tomorrow stands to be a pleasant early summer's day in March, and an excellent opportunity to learn the differences between downtown, midtown and uptown while riding a trolley. Or maybe just park in the middle and walk. Walking's a good thing, you know.

Merchant Mixer this Thursday afternoon, and Second Saturday Trolley soon to debut.

This Merchant Mixer information comes to us from Curt Peters. Merchant Mixers are informal, regular meetings held at places around town, created owing to the unwillingness of cats to be herded.

The New Albany Merchant Mixer will be this Thursday, Feb. 7, from 5:15 to about 6:30 in the upstairs room above the River City Winery. If you wish, you may buy a glass of wine downstairs and bring it up to the room. If anyone wants to bring a snack item to share, that would be great. We will talk about the Second Saturday Trolley Event and whatever is on people's minds.

Wondering what the Second Saturday Trolley is about? I received the following a few days ago. It seems aimed (correctly, in my view) at retail shop owners and not the food and drink segment. I know only what is written here. I've edited it slightly.

SECOND SATURDAYS SHOP & HOP

Connecting Down, Mid & Uptown New Albany

Starting February 9, 2013 ... 1 - 4 p.m.

There will be a trolley running from downtown to uptown; the trolley route will be determined as soon as we get a tally of participating merchants.

Theme: Valentine’s Day

This is an invitation to all merchants that would like to be involved with this monthly event

Purpose:
• To increase traffic in our businesses
• To offer a family friendly event; but not to exclude persons without children
• To increase awareness of what New Albany has to offer
• To build long lasting customers with a mind set of supporting local businesses

If you have any suggestions or questions contact one of us below.

For Downtown Merchants: Shanda Sillings-Roderick at The Opal Gypsy 812-725-9744

Mid and Uptown Merchants: Stefanie Griffith at Strandz & Threaz 812-945-5480