BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. — Stewart’s Shops is offering businesses a flavorful way to make a lasting impression on prospective and current customers.
The convenience-store chain is welcoming businesses to take advantage of its Free Coffee Day program by hosting an event at any of its more than 330 locations in upstate New York or southwestern Vermont.
“It’s a way for businesses to connect with the community by hosting a Free Coffee Day at Stewart’s,” Erica Komoroske, director of public affairs for Stewart’s Shops, told CSP Daily News. “They pick a shop and the day and set up a table to market the event. Most businesses have people on hand to represent and greet people.”
Stewart’s has partnered with local banks, health care centers, car dealerships and many others for Free Coffee Day. Komoroski said Stewart’s doesn’t have a figure on how many cups of coffee a business will give away during this promotion because it varies greatly from store to store.
- Stewart's Shops in No. 24 on the 2021 Top 40 Update to CSP's 2020 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by size.
Here’s how it works: The business chooses a date to host the event and picks up the tab from open until close. Coffee sales tend to slow in the afternoon, but hosting the entire day offers more marketing power and branding opportunity.
After the date is set, the business should promote the day via its company newsletter, blog and social channels—possibly even with a Facebook event. Stewart’s Shops can help with signs and even promote the day on Stewart’s TV, which is the c-store’s network of TVs in each location used to publicize new flavors and specials and tell the Stewart’s story. Some companies order imprinted coffee sleeves, special napkins and swag for the event. Customers can enjoy any size coffee.
Stewart’s Shops will keep track of all hot coffees sold and provide those numbers to the business after the event. The business will then reimburse Stewart’s Shops.
Adirondacks Community Liaison for Centers Health Care wanted a fun way to thank the Capital Region for efforts in flattening the COVID-19 curve and reached out to Stewart’s to host a Free Coffee Day.
Pamela Bowe, Adirondacks Community Liaison for Centers Health Care, greeted people and provided information about the services her organization provides to families and their loved ones while they were getting their complimentary coffee.
“It’s great to see how thankful people are in the Glens Falls community, with the smiles on their faces when they came into the store to find out their coffee was free,” Bowe said. “Today was priceless and the truth stands that one small act of kindness, such as a free cup of coffee, can make someone’s day. This is what we strive for at Centers Health Care, making our community happy and healthy.”
Stewart’s Shops is an employee- and family-owned c-store chain known for its milk, ice cream, coffee, Easy Food meals and other convenience items. There are 336 Stewart’s Shops in upstate New York and southern Vermont.
Stewart's Shops in May 2020 reduced its hauling charge and retail milk prices, and increased competitive premiums, to give dairy producers and customers some relief during the pandemic.
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