Kindness Sells

Chattering customers and clinking glasses fill the ar in Nuts ‘N Bolts Hardware. An old fashioned soda fountain sits smack dab in the middle of the downtown store.

This is THE place to be on a hot summer afternoon in Shady Pines Story Town to catch up on hot topics.

“One super duper sundae coming up.” Owner Harold Sanders pours fountain drinks and scoops up all sorts of ice cream concoctions. Kids and older folks gather ’round. “Mr. Sanders, may I have chocolate on mine?” asks seven year old Tommy.

Along with the cool treats, today there’s a big ‘ole dollop of concern being served.

What’s Happened To Us?

“I can’t take it anymore,” says Fred who runs Fred’s Corner Grocer. “Why are people so angry and downright mean these days?”

Twelve year old Martin adjusts his glasses. “Seems like when people watch the news or go on the internet they get so riled up.”

Harold rinses out a glass and sighs. “My wife, Edna, says the same thing. She has friends who barely speak because of one thing or another.”

Scoop the Cub Reporter with his shock of red hair stands next to Fred. He realizes he’s gonna need to talk to his editor, Zulah Talmadge.

This could be a story for the next edition of the Shady Pines Gazette. He clears his throat to get everyone’s attention. “What are we going to do about it?”

Silence.

“Well,” says Harold, “why don’t we find a way to remind people that this town is all about kindness and caring?”

Fred agrees. “I like it. But how do we do that?”

Harold claps his hands.  “We’ll show them that being civil to one another matters AND it’s good for business!”

The Campaign Begins

“How’re you gonna do that? asks Tommy.

Harold looks at the boy. “If we all put our heads together I bet we can figure it out.”

And that’s how the ‘KINDNESS and CARING’ campaign got started.

To kick things off, Harold headed straight to the office of Mayor Beauregard P. Fibbs.

“What’s up Harold?” asks Mayor Fibbs. “Heard you have something on your mind.”

“I do,” says Harold. We want to start a campaign promoting the best qualities of our town. We think it would be good for business.”

Mayor Fibbs sits back in his chair. “I’m listenting.”

The idea is for shops around town like Pets Galore, Maggie’s Diner and Cup ‘O Joe’s to put a big logo in their front window.

That symbol tells customers the folks who run those shops will be kind, courteous and really care about them.”

The mayor says, “Hmmm. And that’s why you’re calling this effort, the KINDNESS and CARING campaign?”

Harold nods his head. “Yes. Being good to one another is what our close knit community is all about!”

“People just need to be reminded,” agrees Fibbs. “Harold, this could work. When  people feel they’re being valued and treated with respect they’ll keep coming back to those shops.”

Harold agrees. “That’s the bottom line!”

The mayor lights up. “Why we’ll give those businesses in nearby River City a run for their money!”

Kindness and Caring Pays Off

It didn’t take long. The campaign is now underway and people are already talking about it. Of course Scoop and Zulah are helping to spread the word.

There’s even talk the kids in town are getting involved.

We’ll have more on that later. 

In the meantime, what do you think of this Shady Pines Story Town campaign?

Can you think of somes businesses near you that could use this approach?

***Let us know in the Comments Below***