The minute you hear the scampering of paws across the  CitySquares’ office floor and the sound of excited panting, you know that the CitySquares canine entertainment is about to begin.

Elmer is CitySquares’ co-founder Ben Saren’s 15-month old dog and of course an essential part of the CitySquares’ team – he comes to work every day and keeps us all entertained with his tail-chasing, begging for food, and random excitability.

Because Elmer is always around the office, we thought it would be great to put his adorable mug at the forefront of a new weekly blog entry titled “Elmer’s Weekly Small Business Tip.” These ideas will give neighborhood businesses insight into what they can do to promote and market their businesses every day.

We also want our readers to get to know the CitySquares team and its dynamics. How better to start doing so than by introducing Elmer, the office dog?

Elmer’s Weekly Small Business Tip

Nov 19, 2009

Include a CitySquares Badge on your website so your website visitors can see that you’re on CitySquares and can check out your reviews and other information that might not be on your website. Also, when you add a badge that links to your profile on CitySquares.com, you’re helping your overall search engine optimization. Search engines love links – and links to and from your website and to/from your CitySquares profile is good for your online presence.

Just copy and paste the following HTML code into your website site and remember to personalize both the business name and city within the code.

Small Badge HTML Code

The code below, underneath the images, is what you want to copy and paste into your website’s HTML. The red text is the code you want to customize with the URL of your page on CitySquares and with your city.

<!– Begin CitySquares.com Membership Badge –><br />

<a href=”[URL of your CitySquares profile, including http://]” target=”_blank”><br />

<img src=”http://badges.citysquares.com/smbadge.gif” alt=”[your business name, City] on CitySquares” border=”0″ /><br />

</a><br />

Large Badge HTML Code

The code below, underneath the large badge, is what you want to copy and paste into your website’s HTML. The red text is the code you want to customize with the URL of your page on CitySquares and with your city.

<!– Begin CitySquares.com Membership Badge –><br />

<a href=”[URL of your CitySquares profile, including http://]target=”_blank”><br />

<img src=”http://badges.citysquares.com/badge.gif” alt=“[your business name, City] on CitySquares” border=”0″ /><br />

</a><br />

And that’s it! Once you do that you’ll have a fancy shmancy new badge on your website that links to your profile on CitySquares, and watch the search engines pick that up and give both your own website and your CitySquares profile higher ranking.

If you have any questions about this, just give Elmer a call at 877-61-LOCAL!

]]> http://blog.citysquares.com/2009/11/19/elmers-local-business-tips-nov-19-2009/feed/ 1 http://blog.citysquares.com/2009/11/12/the-beginning-of-the-citysquares-community-scrapbook/ http://blog.citysquares.com/2009/11/12/the-beginning-of-the-citysquares-community-scrapbook/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:45:11 +0000 Marissa Green http://blog.citysquares.com/?p=859

Everyday, the CitySquares team recognizes each local business’ and website user’s contribution to the overall CitySquares community.

We are working to create an online CitySquares Community Scrapbook where we will highlight one local business per week on our Facebook Fan Page. These are businesses that people have recently shown interest in and wrote positive reviews on the specific company’s profile.

We want to help spread the word about local businesses that are helping their neighborhoods by providing the services and products they do and creating an enjoyable experience for their customers and the people in their communities.

Included in the scrapbook is a link to the company’s profile, how the company views their impact on their community and a picture showing the products and services the business offers their neighborhood.

A big part of this scrapbook process will be fans tagging themselves in the photo your business provides to show they have visited your business before. We will also ask them to write a comment if your business’ products or services had a big impact on them or their local community.

We would love your input about this idea and suggestions of local CitySquares’ businesses that should be highlighted. If you are a local business and have a CitySquares’ profile that you would like to be featured, you should contact Marissa to receive further details.

The CitySquares’ Team is excited to see the Scrapbook grow each week and continue to show how much local businesses have become essential parts of communities across the nation.

Become a part of the CitySquares family and sign-up today!

Clevergreen is a professional eco-friendly dry cleaners that added the drop box option to make it easier for T-riders who are already helping the environment by taking the train everyday. The drop box is located by the garage at Station Landing in Wellington Circle.

CitySquares’ street team consisted of 3 members; Elcin Cetin, Amanda Guida and Marissa Green who gave out  coupons to local Medford residents. Many community members seemed really interested in the idea of Clevergreen and exciting about CitySquares, which of  course was inspiring to the optimistic spirits of the street team!

CitySquares is always excited to help local businesses get as much awareness in their community’s as possible. Street teaming is just another way we are working to make that happen.

CitySquares’ customer, Model Ace Hardware in Allston, MA is celebrating their 50th Anniversary of family ownership! Owner, Bob Webber grew up in the Allston/ Brighton area and remains a staple in the community not only through owning a local business but also through his involvement with the Allston Board of Trade and Allston Village Main Streets. Below you’ll see the story behind 50 years of service. Congrats Bob and the Model Ace Hardware team from your friends at CitySquares!

My father, “Ike” Webber, bought Model Ace Hardware in 1959 from the original owner, Abraham Rome. Ike had worked for Mr. Rome from 1938 on, with time out for WWII. I was 11 years old when our family got the exciting news that dad had bought the store. I was hooked as soon as I walked in. The smells, the people, the atmosphere all got to me. I rode the MBTA to the store to work part time whenever I could; after school, vacations, Saturdays (in those days stores were closed on Sunday.) Model Hardware was a tenant then, occupying only the middle section of the ground floor. Around us were a meat market, a clothing store (our landlord’s), and down stairs a pool hall/bookie joint. It was all very exciting for me and I met some very “colorful” people. I should mention that Mom worked in the store, along with my sister and brother.

Gradually we rented more space as our immediate neighbors either retired or “retired.” Finally in 1995, I bought the property and was able to develop long range plans. Oddly, I got the news about the purchase of 22 Harvard Avenue around the same time that Dad was dying. I think about that as my fathers last of many gifts to me.

I can tell you that through the years, we made plenty of mistakes in business. However, we were able to thrive in diverse economic and business scenarios. I believe that the main component of our success is the approach that Ike took and passed down to me: treat people with respect, with the best customer service possible and with fairness.

The year 2009 makes the 50th anniversary of family ownership and operation of Model Hardware. My goals are to continue to run the store as efficiently as possible and to make our customers’ shopping experience as pleasant and memorable as possible. I pledge to remain part of the Allston community and to give back to the community as much as possible.

- Bob Webber, President – Model Ace Hardware

Model Ace Hardware is Allston’s premier locally owned hardware store. Unlike mega-store chains, where size and volume make a poor substitute for quality and experience, at Model Ace you’ll be welcomed by helpful experts who know you personally. Their service professionals are trained on an extensive line of products, and can help you every step of the way with any job you have. Model Ace carries quality products including everything from Benjamin Moore Paint to Ice Melt for these cold winter days. Head in and experience the difference shopping at an independently-owned store makes.

Mystery Cafe is now producing a new show, that I am dying to see, American Homicidal!  American Homicidal is a hilarious, family friendly spoof of that “Idol” show on TV, you may have heard about.  Not only do you get to enjoy a 3 course meal at Elephant & Castle Restaurant, but just like the TV show, you’ll be treated to some terrific solo and ensemble vocal performances…and one or two not so terrific ones.

Now you have a chance to win tickets to the show!  If you think that Simon or Paula may have overlooked your stellar talents, then now is your time to shine!  The Mystery Cafe is announcing their “Sing Your Heart Out” contest for Valentines Day!  Click on the video below to see the contest rules and reply with a video response of your own to win tickets for the American Homicidal dinner & show at the Elephant & Castle for 2 and an overnight stay at the Club Quarters Hotel.

So everyone, here’s your chance to shine!  And while you are looking for your ticket to Hollywood, enjoy a dinner, show and a night out on Mystery Cafe!

Boston Buying Power is an energy buying group designed to allow small businesses to purchase energy at a long-term fixed price through access to the deregulated energy market. Boston Buying Power puts small businesses on a level playing field with the largest of commercial accounts and enables them to take advantage of benefits that until now have been unavailable to the small business community.

“Boston is committed to encouraging and supporting strong business communities. One of the ways we can do this is by advocating for small businesses and providing resources during difficult economic times,” Mayor Menino explained.

“Boston Buying Power is designed to give our hard working small business sector the peace of mind that comes from long-term price certainty and budget stability.”

Enrollment is easy and not only will Boston Buying Power begin saving you money today but they can lock-in that lower price for up to five years providing long term price certainty and budget stability for small businesses. More information can be found at www.bostonbuyingpower.com.

– Julie Edwards

This weekend is CitySquares’ 3rd birthday! It was October 15th, 2005 and Bob and I had been working extremely long days getting the website ready for its unveiling, but it was entirely on Bob’s shoulders! For the previous eight weeks or so, while Bob and a contractor worked long days and nights to build that first version of the site, my time was spent mobilizing a grass roots sales effort with the help of some freelance sales people, as well as some marketing efforts with the help of Chris. We all worked tirelessly in anticipation of this day – October 15th, 2005. We planned a big party in Davis Square where we’d celebrate the launch of the website but also the underlying principles that CitySquares hoped to embody – principles of neighborly living, of community, of small business, and of friendship and we’d hoped that we could draw out the local residents of the greater Davis Square community in Somerville. Finally, when October 15th arrived, it was cold and extremely wet – it was pouring, downpours, and ferociously windy. There was no way we could hold our party. But we still launched the website (see it here on Wayback Machine).

When the site launched, it launched with only seven neighborhoods on it – Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall, Union, and Inman Squares, and barely a thousand businesses listed. When the site launched that Saturday, there was also no traffic – no unique visitors, no page views. There was barely a business model, there were no salaries, no employees. There were a handful of customers who believed in us, and a few people who were eager to see us succeed, and others who were eager to see us fail. There was very little more than a tax ID number, a domain name, a clunky website, and a few pie-eyed believers behind the business that included not just me and Bob, but Chris, my wife Ali, my father, mother, sister, some freelancers like my friend Rahkeen and a couple others. And there were the local businesses, like Carla at Johnny D’s, Heather at Square Nail Studio, Lynn at Chinook, Richard at Massage Therapy Works, Deborah Mason and her dancers. There was Jason Burrell, a talented artist, Lo Galluccio a talented singer and songwriter, and Jack Connolly the Alderman of the Davis Square district, and good friend to CitySquares. There were others too.

The next day, October 16th we held our party in Davis Square. It was sunny, very nice out, but it was still extremely windy. The party was attended by so many people of the neighborhood. We had artists there, musicians, dancers, family, friends, and Cookie Monster (played by my mother). My sister Alison and wife Ali did some face painting, small businesses came out and participated. All when CitySquares was barely more than an idea, and a dream. It was a magical weekend for us, one that Bob and I reflected on this week.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnAETZxfMVM]

The odds of a business idea materializing into an actual business, with a heartbeat and with people propelling it forward are extremely low. Once off the ground, the odds of the business making it through its first year in business, its second, and its third are also very low. I won’t spout of those statistics because it’s just not important. They’re numbers, and if I paid attention to all the numbers that were stacked up against me in life I probably wouldn’t get out of bed. Ignorance is bliss when your a startup entrepreneur!

What’s really drives this company’s successes and it’s growth are the people. We’re not just a company, just a business, just a startup. We are a tribe! CitySquares is a peaceful tribe, we mind our business, but we’re fierce and our spears are sharp. Our warpaint is ready and we are warriors at heart. It’s that heart, that passion, those guts that drives this company. It started on October 15th 2005, and it continues today, three years later.

This week marks the 3rd birthday of CitySquares.com’s launch, but it also marks a day when Bob and I made a decision that would change our lives forever, and lives of others to come. Today, we have some very special people involved with the company, both on staff, as well as customers, people who use the site, but also on its board of directors, its board of advisers, and among its investors. Our families all support us, our friends, our spouses. CitySquares is three years old, but 100 times more powerful. The future on October 15th, 2005 was so foggy – so massive and overwhelming. Today, the future is more clear than ever, and remains so full of potential and opportunity.

The tribe is as united as ever, the company as lean and mean as ever. We’re powerful, we’re proud, we’re competitive. And we have more heart and passion than any other company I’ve ever been involved with. More people will join our tribe in the days, weeks, months, years to come. Other milestones will be reached, birthdays celebrated. I can’t wait.

Happy birthday CitySquares!

– Ben

For example, are the Sox on the road, and you are looking for something to do?  Well, head on over to Kenmore Square anyway and celebrate Taco Tuesdays at La Verdad Taqueria Mexicana, Ken Oringer’s newest offering to Boston.  Every tuesday, enjoy $1 Tacos and choose from chicken, carnitas, pork…Up to 5 per customer!

Or maybe you are in the mood for something sweet?  Well Sweet Chistopher’s Dessert Cafe on Centre St in Jamaica Plain has a treat for you!  Stop by anytime, and mention that you saw them on Citysquares… You’ll get a free cupcake!

Free, You ask?  Yup…and here is another one: Check out Bostone Pizza, located on Newbury St in the heart of Back Bay.  Their pizza is killer, and you can have any slice for FREE.  Just print out the coupon.

Darque Tan offers free tanning for a month, for you and up to 3 friends!  Watch their video,read more information, as well as print their free offer here! Darque Tan has two Boston locations,  locations in Newton, Revere, Swampscott and is getting ready to open their newest location in Saugus Mass!

How about making a few bucks this month?  Check out Mt. Washington Bank on CitySquares.  They have several locations in the Boston area.  Bring in your old debit card and checks, and open an account with them, you can get cash on the spot!  Mentioned that you saw them on CitySquares.

Well, I am not going to reveal all of our great offers, you will have to visit CitySquares.com for more info.  We update them all the time, so keep checkin back!

– Kim

Chocolee Chocolates in South End, Boston is an adorable boutique chocolate shop that specializes in handmade chocolates and truffles.

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All Things Chocolate is located in the heart of Boston in the Back Bay.  This family run business offers a variety of chocolates and candies.  They do a beautiful job of creating delicious gifts for all occasions.

[wpvideo IRBhzGUQ]

I hope you were able to make it through both of these videos before having to run down the street for your chocolate fix!

We have many other videos that I cant wait to show you. Stay tuned!

– Kim

As you probably know, the 2008 Dining & Entertainment All Star contest came to a close this month. It was a well fought contest too, with The Fireplace Restaurant in Brookline fighting it out with Lilly’s Gourmet Pasta Express in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood literally to the final hour! It’s so great to see such good-spirited competitiveness among neighborhood businesses. This is what we really want the All Star contest to do! So far, so good.

CitySquares is delighted to announce the winners of the Dining & Entertainment All Star Contest.

In first place we have Lilly’s Gourmet Pasta Express! They are the official first place winner of the 2008 Dining & Entertainment All Stars! They racked up a record 103 votes from their customers. They were so actively engaged in the contest that when they answered their phone they’d say, “Thank you for calling Lilly’s Gourmet Pasta Express. Please be sure to vote for us on CitySquares.com! Can I take your order?” That’s just fantastic pride and spirit! A great example for other contestants. We’re proud to see Lilly’s win this summer’s contest! Congratulations Lilly’s!

We have 10 other winners, and they include:

The Fireplace Restaurant – Most Romantic Restaurant

Something Savory – Best Catering Service

Sevan Bakery – Best Bakery

Bobby C’s Ristorante – Best Dinner

J.J. Foley’s – Best Bar

Mystery Cafe Dinner Theatre – Best Entertainment

The Red Fez – Best Cocktails

The Samuel Adams Brewery Tour – Best Weekend Activity

The Winery – Best Wine Selection

Strip T’s – Best Sandwiches

Schoolhouse Pizza – Best Pizza

Congratulations to all the winners, and to all the businesses who competed in this summer’s campaign! It was a success in so many ways.

We’d also like to announce our next All Star campaign, the Shopping All Star Contest! It starts in October and we’ll ask you, our community, to get out there and vote for your favorite shopping destinations. The contest will close at the end of the holiday season. We’ll announce the launch of the contest on the blog and in our newsletter, and once we do all you have to do to nominate a business as an All Star is just log on to CitySquares.com and either search for the business or browse to any retail business and just click on button. Also be sure to visit the All Star page for the vote tallies and top 10 leaders!

Do you have any ideas for the All Star Contest? Or would you like to see something changed? We’re totally open to your suggestions so please feel free to comment below.

– Ben