| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Restaurant Promotes
Independent Trade
WATERTOWN, NY --- Watertown’s Apollo Restaurant has embarked upon an initiative which promotes local commerce with other independently-owned businesses, including competing eateries. The Apollo, located at Arsenal Street’s Price Chopper Plaza, is honoring sales receipts given to consumers who shop at north country independent businesses. Original receipts brought into the restaurant are redeemable for meal discounts and other concessions. If a customer needs to retain a particular sales slip, it is merely stamped and given back. ”For our dine-in clientele, receipts are equivalent to instant coupons” says Michelle A. Tinsley, co-owner of the Apollo. “In the spirit of goodwill, we’re thrilled to be in a position to promote other privately-owned businesses, while creating an added benefit for consumers who patronize them.” “We think it will help foster an increased awareness of area businesses that remain self-sufficient, including the Apollo.” Featuring both Greek & American cuisine, The Apollo Restaurant opened its doors in 1988. Proprietors, William and Michelle Tinsley, acquired the business from relatives approximately four years ago. If the question is whether the driving force behind the new campaign is a strategic move against corporate or chain operations, Mrs. Tinsley maintains there’s room enough for everyone. “Our goal is to establish an on-going support system for the local, independent merchant which will ultimately benefit the consumer. That means, we all benefit,” she said.
#### Our Definition of a "Local Independent Business"
This promotion supports one very specific, very unique business model — that
of the independent business — which does not have the benefit of a corporate office,
which, by extension, allows that business to benefit from corporate-administered ad
campaigns. True Independents do not possess this luxury.
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