LocalCoaster Launches Campaign to Buy Local and Help Charities

LocalCoaster launched its pilot initiative Saturday in Portsmouth and the Seacoast communities. The company designs and manufactures advertisements for local businesses on beverage coasters which are distributed by participating local restaurants. A significant portion of proceeds is donated to local charities.

“Communities thrive when we all participate,” explains Susan Wiley, co-founder of LocalCoaster.  “Typically, a restaurant that uses coasters is promoting a national beer brand.  Why not use that space to help local small business and local charities?”

LocalCoaster began distributing its first run of 110,000 coasters on Saturday which will be used at participating restaurants for a 3-month period.  Local small business advertisers include: Ambrosia Gardens, Bikram Yoga Portsmouth, Dental by Design, EyeLook Optical, Funky Rock Designs, Lively Kids, The Paper Patch, Port City Chiropractic, RiverRun Bookstore, Tatjiana Shone/Caldwell Banker, and Tattoo Lube.  LocalCoaster’s inaugural local corporate advertiser is Holloway Automotive Group.  Click here to see their coasters.

"LocalCoaster lets us promote our business and present Mercedes-Benz in a unique, new social way while giving back to our local community" said Robin Holloway, VP of Marketing for Holloway Automotive Group.  "Our dealerships have been philanthropically active in the Seacoast community for over forty years, this is a modern way for us to extend that participation even further." 

Giving Back and Engaging the Community

Each participating advertiser and restaurant nominates a local charity of choice and the community gets involved by reviewing the list of charities and voting for their favorites.  The most voted charity receives a $5,000 cash donation.  For more information on additional prizes and to vote for local seacoast charities, click here.

Participating restaurants are the key to community participation.  Supporting establishments include: 180 Restaurant and Bar, Agave Mexican Bistro, The Black Birch, The Blue Mermaid Island Grill, Brazo, Café Mediterraneo, The Carriage House, Cava, The District, The Dolphin Striker, The Exchange, Fat Belly’s Grill and Bar, The Green Monkey, Lexie’s Joint, Local’s Restaurant and Pub, Margarita’s, MoJo’s BBQ Grill & Tavern, Petey’s, The Portsmouth Brewery, Ri Ra, The Rusty Hammer, Street, and The Thirsty Moose Taphouse.

“In addition to raising money for local charities, our goal is to increase awareness,” said Jim Thompson, LocalCoaster Co-founder.  “The restaurants supporting this effort are the catalysts for driving community participation and awareness.”

About Local Coaster

Local Coaster is a startup social venture that produces beverage coasters to help stimulate local commerce and at the same time support local charities.  We are pioneering a new advertising model that engages the community and gives back.   Visit www.LocalCoaster.com.

Submitted by Matt Burke, LocalCoaster, Portsmouth