Andrew Savitz and Patrick Henke are no strangers to digital experiences. Their design and development firm Canned Spinach fuses elements like augmented reality, user experience, app design and website production to connect consumers with brands through interactive platforms.
But, like everything in the COVID-19 pandemic, business is anything but usual in Cincinnati. That’s why Savitz and Henke are shifting their digital-development gears with a much-needed offering to keep brick-and-mortar businesses afloat: StayInCincy.com.
This website and text-based service aggregates offers and promotions from local and mostly brick-and-mortar businesses. Consumers sign up for text alerts to stay on top of deals for everything from delivery to local classes. Through the service, consumers can support their favorite Cincinnati establishments while staying fed and having fun.
“We started seeing numerous local businesses and individuals creating unique offerings, digital experiences and ways to support others during the quarantine,” said Savitz. “In addition to helping local businesses quickly find ways to keep the lights on, we believe this is an interesting opportunity to demonstrate to physical businesses the immense value in digital experience.”
Offerings on StayInCincy.com range from Brown Bear Bakery’s “Cookie for a Healthcare Worker” promotion to renowned mixologist Molly Wellmann’s virtual cocktail-making class — with free delivery offers for food and booze. According to the StayInCincy website, these promotions do more than help food-and-beverage companies stay in business. They ensure these companies put their inventory to good use.
Plus, nearly all StayInCincy.com offers are redeemed directly through the businesses. That means service fees — which are typically around 15 percent on food-delivery platforms like UberEats — don’t cut into the bottom lines for these already struggling service businesses.
StayInCincy.com is free for businesses and consumers. Business owners can submit an offer directly on the website; Savitz and Henke then use that information to populate their offers page. Consumers sign up for free text alerts on the homepage, although offers are also updated regularly on the website.
As business owners themselves, Savitz and Henke understand the challenges posed by COVID-19 shutdowns. That’s why these two University of Cincinnati graduates are offering StayInCincy.com entirely free of charge. They hope it will keep the local business spirit alive.
“We’re trying to get in front of as many people as possible to spread the word and support our favorite local businesses,” Savitz said. “Plus, it gives locals who are relatively bored at home different ways to support those who are struggling — by doing little more than opening a text message.”
With shelter-in-place orders continuing for weeks to come, Savitz and Henke are expanding their StayInCincy.com offerings. One of these new experiences — free virtual concerts offered in collaboration with local music venues — is coming in the (very) near future, Savitz says.
