Shop Tulsa Campaign Halts - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Shop Tulsa Campaign Halts

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posted by: Burt Mummolo - email

 

It started with a bang. Mayor Bartlett in front of a bold banner as the holidays approached in 2010.

"Tulsa merchants are fighting to hold on to the almighty dollar. Just in time for Christmas, they are urging you to shop tulsa as often as you can," reported Channel 8's Kim Jackson.

A concerted effort to encourage local spending that was championed by then non-city councilor Blake Ewing. 

"This is definitely trying to engage Tulsans and have some pride in our city and just be mindful of the way we are funded," he said.

Buzz was built, momentum moved. On the Shop Tulsa Twitter page last March, Clary Sage was tweeting a deal.

"We find that when you can foster relationships here locally the economy strengthens because of that," said Michelle LaFortune-Wamego.

In June, we went to ascent where a woman was saving big bucks via the Shop Tulsa app. 

"You buy $10 worth and get $20 worth , it's great," said an employee.

And as recent as May of this year, GreenHouse Clothing was plugging itself on the Shop Tulsa Facebook page.

"I thought it was a great concept, talked with a bunch of other local business owners I was like hey this is gonna be really great for Tulsa," said Bryan Schooley.

Was being the operative word.

"Well, Shop Tulsa it really, I mean we're not doing anything with it at this moment," said Tammy Fate with the city of Tulsa.

What happened? When Blake Ewing became a city councilor, he had to step away from Shop Tulsa, so it wouldn't be a conflict of interest. And now that the city has it...

"From a city standpoint we have to be very cautious that we don't promote one business over the other," she said.

The result. An app that now shows no coupons. Twitter and Facebook pages gathering dust, and entrepreneurs wondering where the enthusiasm went. 

"It's kind of we're out there alone just saying hey Shop Tulsa, just because we tell you to," said Schooley.

 

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