Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association Officially Launches with New Logo:
“Our history makes the difference”
Friday, May 1, 2009 was the official launch date of the Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association [BCMA]. The merchants located in the Bailey’s Center [corner of Tarpon Bay Rd and Periwinkle Way] have been working together since the start of 2009 to develop a joint communications strategy and a new annual customer events program. They have commissioned a new logo for use by all the merchants to mark the occasion and reflect their new brand identity.
The Bailey’s Center Merchants’ Association consists of the 13 merchants in the center: Bailey’s General Store, Bailey’s True Value Hardware, Biddles Bucket, The Grog Shop, Nick’s Place, Hillgate Communications, Island Dry Cleaners, Island Cinema, Sanibel Barber Shop, Sanibel Beauty Salon, Sanibel Shell Station, Select Vacation Properties, and Video Scene.
Unveiling the new logo, Ken Kasten of Sanibel Shell Station, President of the BCMA, said: “Until now, we have worked together without an official name, logo or identity to represent the collective offering of our 13 unique members. We are very excited about our new logo – it represents the history behind the Bailey’s Center, anchored by Bailey’s General Store which was opened by Frank P. Bailey in 1899 on Sanibel. Our new logo recognizes our heritage, but with a modern look to represent our center. More than 100 years after the first store welcomed its customers, Bailey’s Center is now home to the island’s only cinema, video store, barber shop and dry cleaners and Sanibel’s longest established beauty salon.”
This year the BCMA hosted the first annual IrishFest, on St Patrick’s Day March 17, and will continue to host further events during the year starting with a special family 4th of July fun event, “BCMA Backyard BBQ,” in Bailey’s Center after the annual parade. BCMA will also host Baileyfest in October and a special event in December to mark the annual Island Luminary event organized by the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
The merchants’ association in the center started to take shape when more businesses joined Bailey’s General Store, Sanibel Beauty Salon, laundromat and the corner restaurant, then called Coconut Grove, in the 1970s and 80s. Mary Aleck and John Kontinos, who originally built and owned the center and who’s family currently owns the Sanibel Beauty Salon, and Bob Aycock, who owned the original Shell Net, spearheaded the group of merchants and encouraged them to all work together to enhance the service provided by all merchants to Sanibel residents, guests and visitors.
Richard Johnson is actively involved in the BCMA and said, “I expect that the official launch of the association will attract new customers to the center while re-emphasizing to our many long term and loyal customers that we remain true to our heritage of exceptional customer service.”
source: Hillgate Communications
