Westminster, MD, Friday, November 1, 2024 – Carroll County Economic Development (CCED) is pleased to announce a new initiative promoting holiday season shopping in the eight county municipalities and highlighting free small business services provided by the Small Business Development Center, Northern Region (SBDC). The initiative “Downtown Darren” is a partnership of CCED, participating town businesses and SBDC, Northern Region. The promotion will run November 2, 2024 – December 8, 2024.

The campaign is designed to encourage more customers to patronize Carroll County Main Streets, with the goal of increased traffic and sales for local establishments. The “Downtown Darren” program is secondary and complementary to further bolster the already existing 2024 Carroll County Passport Program marketing campaign.

How to Participate:

  1. Shoppers find a “Downtown Darren,” a cardboard elf image of SBDC Consultant, Darren Peyton, on display at participating Main Street establishments.
  2. When you find this elf, take a fun selfie and add it, with the name of the store where you found it, to the comments on the Carroll County Downtowns Facebook page “Downtown Darren” post.  
  3. Take your photo between November 2nd – December 8th for a chance to win a $50 gift card. One gift card per municipality will be awarded.
  4. Shoppers may submit from all towns and multiple stores within a town. Deadline to submit is 8am on December 10, 2024.
  5. Carroll County Economic Development will randomly select a submitted photo from each town to award a $50 gift card on December 10, 2024.  

“Carroll County is very proud of our beautiful Main Streets, and we appreciate the importance of downtowns to the economic vitality of our communities as well as recognizing that they are the heartbeat of our county,” said Department of Economic Development Director Denise Beaver. “Residents and visitors are encouraged to support small and locally owned businesses during this holiday season – so go out and find this elf!”