Milton Mayor Wesley Meiss is showcasing locally owned and operated businesses within city limits through short, online videos posted on his Facebook account titled ‘Business of the Week.’
“It is something I have never seen before and I thought it was a unique idea to highlight specific businesses in the City of Milton,” he said.
Since January, the mayor has visited three Milton businesses and shot a brief video introducing the business, speaking with the owner or an employee about what the business has to offer. Thus far, Meiss has featured the Another Castle video games store, the Purple Tulip florist shop and Fox Sports AM 1490.
In addition to promoting local businesses and hearing from their owners, the ‘Business of the Week’ segments allows the mayor to show support for each business on behalf of the city.
“I think that it is important that we show our businesses that we care about them,” Meiss said. “Hopefully, people who live outside the city will come and check out these businesses as well.”
The videos have gained some traction online, the Another Castle video has reached 5,000 Facebook users and more than 2,500 views. The Purple Tulip video has reached more than 1,000 views.
Meiss encourages residents to share each of these videos on their personal Facebook accounts in order to further spread the word.
The mayor added he has received feedback from residents stating they were not aware that either the Purple Tulip or Another Castle were in business in the area.
Rick Ferrell, who operates the Another Castle with his wife Jennifer, said the mayor’s video brought new business almost immediately after it was posted.
“The day after he posted (the video), the first customers to come in said they saw the video online,” Ferrell said.
Although the business has been in operation for the past 11 years, Ferrell said many residents are unaware a video game store is located in Milton.
“I thought it was a great idea to get some awareness for some of the businesses here,” he said.
Randy Williams, the general manager for the local Fox Sports radio station, is also appreciative of the mayor’s efforts.
“The mayor has been very supportive of our business from the get go,” Williams said. “ (As a business) you want to be a part of the community, the city government is part of the community, the citizens are a part of the community and we have just been welcomed with open arms.”
Meiss regularly provides his voice to the local sports radio station when calling MiltonHigh School football games.
In addition to highlighting Milton businesses, Meiss said other Milton-centric video ideas could soon be in the works, perhaps a ‘Citizen of the Week’ he said.
“I am going to keep doing this, because It’s got value,” Meiss said. “Facebook is a great tool.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton mayor promotes area businesses through social media