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STAMFORD, Conn. As if the lure of big sales on Black Friday wasnt enough to draw people to the mall on the biggest shopping day of the year, Stamford Town Center and radio station WEBE 108 took the idea a step further.
They gave away money, too.
The mall and radio station held a joint event in which drawings were held throughout the day, with a $500 gift certificate and five $100 gift certificates drawn from a large bowl of entry forms every 60 minutes.
The drawings were held from 6:08 a.m. to 6:08 p.m., as 72 winners received a total of $12,000.
The event apparently paid off in bringing more people to the mall than last year.
As of noon [Friday], we were told by mall officials that the combination of this event and the malls midnight opening had resulted in a 30 percent increase in sales above a year ago, said WEBE 108 accounts manager Tom Arbor, the events coordinator and liaison for the radio station and mall.
As hundreds of children and adults sat on carpeted steps leading up into the main mall area, piano player Mark Monroe performed Christmas favorites, including Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, Jingle Bells and White Christmas.
Popular WEBE personalities Storm N Norman and Robby Bridges were among the emcees during the 12-hour event.
We are very happy to see the big turnout and response to this promotion, which has helped to boost sales at the mall, said Arbor. Its been fun for both kids and their parents, and a lot of lucky people have walked away with some big gift-card prizes.
Karen Sanchez of Stamford said she didnt win anything, but had fun trying.
I never win, but I never give up and keep trying, said Sanchez. This was fun and a good break from all the shopping. I really like the live piano music, too.
WEBE FM, which plays adult contemporary music, is ranked No. 1 in the Stamford-Norwalk, Bridgeport and Fairfield County ratings.
Featuring traffic reports that cover the entire route from interior Connecticut to lower Fairfield County, WEBE is one of the most powerful radio stations in Southern Connecticut.
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