They were introduced to downtown Huntsville a few years ago, and they’ve become so popular that it’s time for a second round.
In June 2013, 50 orange umbrellas cropped up in downtown businesses thanks to the Downtown Huntsville BIA’s Events and Promotions Committee. When shoppers and visitors to Main Street popped into a store to take refuge from a storm, they could borrow one of the brightly coloured shades to wander Main Street or get back to their vehicles without getting soaked. The idea was that they would return them to another store for use by the next shelter-seeking person. But it didn’t always work that way – some of the umbrellas never found their way back – and that suits BIA Executive Director, Helena Renwick, just fine.
“Even if people do forget to return them and take them somewhere else, it’s advertising for downtown Huntsville,” says Renwick. The idea hasn’t just proven popular with patrons, either. “We are one of the first groups in Ontario to do this and other places have started to copy us.”
The cost of the newest crop of umbrellas has been offset by a group of sponsors whose logos appear on the umbrella’s rim: Algonquin Outfitters, The Great Vine, Hometown IDA, Huntsville Forester, Hutcheson Reynolds and Caswell, Town of Huntsville, and Wooden Penny, with the Downtown Huntsville BIA absorbing the rest of the cost.
They would like most of these new umbrellas to stay in downtown Huntsville, though. And the merchants will also gladly take back any stray umbrellas that might be hiding out in people’s front halls, garages and back seats of cars. “No questions asked,” laughs Renwick.
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I am thrilled to see Huntsville breaking with its long-standing tradition as a Tory stronghold and promoting the NDP colours. The two major parties may be fair-weather friends, but when the going gets tough, etc. (tongue planted firmly in cheek, Hugh: I’m a life-long Grit; excluding a few detours with Broadbent and Layton).