New App Connects Shoppers Directly With Main Line Businesses

MAIN LINE, PA — A new app recently launched with the goal of directly connecting shoppers with businesses along the Main Line and surrounding areas as part of an initiative to support small businesses that were among those most heavily impacted by the pandemic.

The Shop Dine Main Line campaign will direct the purchasing power of workers and residents toward restaurants, retailers and other small businesses.

Traditional media, social media, email marketing and lawn signs are being deployed with the goal of driving consumers to businesses that can be found on a new website portal here, sponsored by the Wells Fargo Foundation.

As part of the initiative, the Chamber is unveiling a partnership with Let’s Rallie, a new Philadelphia-based mobile app that has signed on as a communications partner to connect consumers with activities and offers from small businesses.

Let’s Rallie helps people find spontaneous things to do within 10 miles of their location.

Businesses can also use the app to market in real-time and easily communicate specials, changes in hours of operation, events and more.

The service comes at no cost to businesses through the holiday season, thanks to a partnership with the Main Line Chamber of Commerce.

The app will be made available to businesses throughout the region traditionally defined as the Main Line as well as businesses in surrounding areas that include King of Prussia, Conshohocken, Blue Bell, Broomall, West Chester and Media.

The app is available for free download on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

"While most of our Chamber member companies have continued to thrive through engaging remote workers, the Shop Dine Main Line initiative helps to draw attention to restaurants, retail and other businesses whose revenues were significantly impacted by shut-down orders," said Bernard Dagenais, President and CEO of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. "We encourage the public, including the thousands of employees who power our companies, to make a point of buying locally. Spending dollars in our communities allows small businesses to reinvest in our region, providing services and jobs that fuel the local economy."

"We are excited to continue to support small businesses, by introducing them to new customers and giving them an easy tech tool to support their marketing and promote their services," said Wendy Verna, co-founder of Let’s Rallie, Inc. "The partnership with the Main Line Chamber aligns with Rallie's initiative to offer all businesses equal exposure to consumers who are actively looking for something fun to do in real-time."

The launch of Shop Dine Main Line is partially supported by a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, which supports small businesses, financial health, housing affordability, and sustainability and environmental justice.

The grant also supports other Chamber small business initiatives, including the Main Line Chamber of Commerce’s Recovery Resources information-sharing campaign and the Society of Professional Women, which is the region’s largest women-in-business peer group.

BTC Marketing Communications of Wayne designed the creative content for Shop Dine Main Line as part of its focus on impact marketing.