When we moved into our first home, back in the 1970’s , almost 50 years ago, we were greeted by a nice “blue-haired” lady who was our “Welcome Wagon” lady. She came to our home in Buffalo Grove bearing “gifts” from the local businesses. A certificate from the hardware store to have some keys made ( we probably spent $50 once we got there), a Free pizza from a local pizzeria, a free inspection from a pest control firm ( to make sure the inspectors had not missed any little creatures), an oil change from a service station ( remember those?) , a dentist free x-ray and lots of other goodies. It was fun to get all this “stuff”, but of greater importance, we felt accepted by the area itself. The businesses in our new community wanted to be our “friends” and certainly wanted us to shop local!
The “blue-haired” ladies are gone, and in today’s world, there are very few women home during the day to accept the gift basket, but the company, now headed towards 90 years of community blending, is still around. They work in a different manner ( as most companies have adjusted to the modern world) and instead of a basket, they send out a “gift book”, personalized and filled with information about the community and those local merchants who wish to “partner” can still have an offer, but now as a page IN the “gift Book” ( both sides) with their offer on the bottom of the page.They also get an e-mail, and a secondary coupon, again to their home-personal ( never “occupant” or “resident” ). The business can also get a monthly list of the new movers so they can 
follow-up as well. This is the personal touch that today’s world demands and should have.
follow-up as well. This is the personal touch that today’s world demands and should have.Below, find the definition:
welcome wagon Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/welcome-wagon
used in phrases such as ‘roll out the welcome wagon‘ and ‘be greeted by the welcome wagon‘ to refer to a happy and friendly way of greeting people who are new to a place: She likes to roll out the welcome wagon for (= greet and be friendly to) everyone who moves onto the block.
One of the best parts of this program is the exclusivity they offer. There is only ONE of any type business ( restaurants, one of each type of restaurant- medicals, only one of any type of physician etc).
In addition to the “Gift Book”, a digital program is also available. It is highlighted by the social media portion so when a local person is on “Facebook” or “Instagram”, they will find the Welcome Wagon “partners’ ads of their phones, or computers.
There is even more to the Digital Program, but I leave that to the experts, so you can check out at www.welcomewagon.com
If you own a business and want to find out how you can become a partner, call 1-800-779-3526
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