Summers here in Cape May, New Jersey, are the best. People come from all over the U.S. to enjoy the beautiful beaches and historic Victorian houses.
As the owner of The Antique Doorknob, where we specialize in Victorian lighting, stained-glass windows and fireplace mantels, I look forward to all of the new customers I’ll meet from May to September.
Parking is at a premium here, though. Many of the beachfront and side streets have parking meters. With such lovely sights to see, it’s easy to lose track of time and get a parking ticket.
Five years ago our Chamber of Commerce thought up the idea to partner with local businesses like mine to save visitors from those pesky parking tickets.
I’m one of the many volunteers who comb the streets looking for meters that are about to expire. When I find one, I feed in four quarters (an hour of additional parking) and leave a note on the car windshield that includes the name of the sponsoring merchant and reads, “You’ve been saved from a parking ticket.”
People who have been the recipient of a meter save often come into our stores to thank us. But I know I’m doing more than helping someone out. This program lets me connect with people outside of my store. I love giving directions, making recommendations or simply saying, “Thank you for visiting Cape May!”
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