The Ladybug Trek ends June 30th!

It’s not too late to play and win!

Stop by any of the 15 participating stores today and earn entries toward the grand prize by solving the clues! 

Simply go to: ladybug.citytrek.com to play. The contest ends June 30th.

screen grab of Ladybug Trek locations in Franklin

Ladybug Trek - visit some or all of the 15, and get a free entry into the grand prize drawing

For example, when you visit Franklin Liquors you'll find that they have

In-Store Special Raffle Prize You Can Enter To Win!

Solve the clue to enter to win a Bud Summer Package.

Franklin Liquors 'Bud Summer Prize Package"

Partnership Encourages Residents to Shop Local During Construction

The Franklin Downtown Partnership wants to remind everyone to shop locally during the downtown Franklin roadway and streetscape improvement project.

The Partnership is working with the Town of Franklin to communicate construction updates in an effort to help residents get around downtown more easily. The FDP is also collaborating with local groups like the Small Shop Co-Op, the #ShopFranklin - Supporting Small Business Facebook group, and WMRC First Class Radio to help encourage residents to shop locally.

"If you have a favorite business or restaurant, please make that extra effort to visit them frequently. Traffic issues, like the harsh winter, can affect a business's bottom line. It's important that we all be patient with the process and help these businesses thrive," says Partnership President Nicole Fortier.

The $7.25 million, state-funded improvement project began in mid April. When finished, residents will see two-way traffic, improvements designed to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety, and aesthetic improvements like plantings, greenspace and new lighting.

The FDP will help communicate the Town of Franklin's construction updates about parking, alternate routes and road closures on its website, franklindowntownpartnership.org, and on its Twitter feed and Facebook page.

"The Partnership is also collaborating with local groups to help encourage people to shop locally. There are several great promotions and 'shop local' efforts happening in Franklin this spring, and we will help get the word out about them. Businesses are working very hard to earn and keep your business," says Lisa Piana, the Downtown Partnership's executive director.

One example of that collaboration is the Small Shop Co-Op, created by The Cake Bar co-owners Tracie Turinese and Angie McMillan. The co-op has launched the Lady Bug Trek scavenger hunt. Using a smartphone app, shoppers will visit participating local businesses and compete to win prizes.  

Ladybug Trek

"We are all working toward making this construction process go as smoothly as possible for our businesses and residents. The Streetscape project is a key component to the revitalization of downtown Franklin, which the Downtown Partnership has been working toward since 2001. Ultimately a strong downtown is good for the whole community," adds Piana.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working together to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. The FDP runs the annual Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and Holiday Stroll, and is involved in economic development, beautification, streetscape and greenspace design, and networking initiatives.

The FDP currently has over 200 members and welcomes all businesses and residents. For more information, go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at (774) 571-3109 or downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

Lady Bug Trek is "meant to just be fun."

The Strawberry Stroll has ended but reasons to get out and about to Franklin's small businesses have not.

A mobile app-assisted scavenger hunt through more than a dozen small Franklin businesses is getting underway today, Friday, June 12 and will continue through the end of the month. 

The Lady Bug Trek is the first collaborative activity of the recently formed Franklin Small Shop Co-op, featuring special offers from participating businesses and a chance at a grand prize of $1,100 in gift cards. 

"We created the Small Shop Co-op for small businesses to collaborate, so this was sort of born out of that," said Tracie Turinese, co-owner of The Cake Bar in downtown Franklin. 

A total of 15 businesses are part of the fun, including Franklin Liquors, Franklin Yoga & Wellness, Salon Sorella, Making Whoopie, Emmas Quilt Cupboard, Mac Deli, The Cake Bar, Hillside Nurseries & Farm, Elizabeth's Bagels, Terrazza, Pretty is Pink, NHS Printing, Daddario Hardware, Franklin Art Center and Jane's Frames.

Continue reading the article here
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150611/NEWS/150618663/1994/NEWS

The website loaded quickly on my Android tablet and did not on my Android phone (they were next to each other at the time).

Ladybug Trek - a scavenger hunt with a grand prize worth over $1,100

solve 9 clues (9 of the 15 businesses) and get 5 entries, solve 12 and get 10 entries!