Getting ready to Shop Small OKC on EMBARK's OKC Streetcar

Once upon a time, in my early 20s, I worked in Dallas in a big building at the end of the McKinney Avenue Trolley line. Before that, I used the DART train and bus system to get to my super hip internship in Dallas’ Deep Ellum. The whole experience felt so urban – taking public transit to grab a sandwich or for my commute to work.

Well over a decade later, I still love that urban feeling. I Uber. I ride the Bird and Lime Scooters. I always wish I could ride a Spokies, but I usually am pushing a stroller. I check out public transit when I vacation. And you can bet I have been so excited about the OKC Streetcar. I was so enthusiastic that I can tell you I didn’t even complain about the construction all through the areas in which I do life. Now that the construction has cleared, the downtown districts have come alive. Just last weekend I was sitting at the top of O Bar, looking out over the newly installed rails, and thinking about how the streetcar is a game changer for those of us living and working downtown.

I. Am. So. Excited!

Let me explain… I live within walking distance to Midtown. But with small kids at my side, Myriad Gardens is too far, and you can forget catching a movie or playing at Brickopolis in Bricktown if you’re on foot. Even Automobile Alley seems too distant. Everything seems like is just out of reach. But the OKC Streetcar changes things. With the streetcar, these amazing districts are suddenly within walking distance. It makes it easy for out of town guests to explore. It makes it easy for ME to explore.

And it is a smorgasbord of small business shopping. It is shop after shop of ShopSmall OKC goodness. It is access to some of my favorite places to eat, drink, shop and have fun. This streetcar will be a gateway to good things.

When I started the Instagram account for ShopSmall OKC, the OKC Streetcar (@okcstreetcar) account was one of the first I followed. And when the folks from the Streetcar asked if I wanted to help them share what awesome promotions they had going on I was so excited! Of course, I wanted to share what was happening!

So here is the scoop! I have FOUR very important things to share:

1. Find a golden ticket! There will be an exclusive special event sneak peek ride available to you by winning a golden ticket, and you all have the chance to win a golden ticket – for FREE! They’ve made it so easy! On Saturday, the national small business shopping day, just visit participating businesses and get a free chocolate bar and see if yours has a golden ticket (there’s nearly 500). Just like Wonka…but you don’t even have to buy a bar.

2. Shop ’N’ Win! All you have to do is shop! There’s more than 100 businesses, restaurants, watering holes and entertainment destinations on the 4.86-mile streetcar loop. This is the exciting part — as of Saturday, November 17 through the end of June, you can upload your receipts from merchants along the Streetcar loop and be entered in a weekly drawing for a $250 gift card from one of the Love the Loops Partners. The first drawing will be on Monday, November 26! You can learn more about the promotion here.

3. Rider Rewards! This one is BEYOND easy. Just ride the streetcar. Starting Monday, December 17 through June 30, 2019, ten riders will be randomly selected to receive a $25 gift card to any Love the Loops partner! WHAT?!? That’s right 10 every week through June!

4. Grand Opening Celebration! This isn’t for the faint-of heart. The OKC Streetcar is throwing a three-week party! From December 14 - January 5, the OKC Streetcar will be fare free AND they’ve partnered to make Downtown In December the best yet! You’ve got to check this out! This will be the best time to bundle up and check out this exciting area of Oklahoma City, and do your holiday shopping at small businesses.

ShopSmall is a way of life. It’s about our local shops, local brews, local eats, and local attractions. It’s absolutely magical out there this time of year so plan your shopping and support the local businesses that make Oklahoma City a wonderful place to live. Of course, ride the OKC Streetcar - it's soooo easy!

So go ahead and follow OKC Streetcar and EMBARK and visit their website… and gear up! ! It's about to get RAIL! (see what I did there?)

As if the deal couldn’t get any sweeter, I have a 1-month Streetcar pass for use in anyone that

● Follows me

● Shares this post and tags two friends

● Posts a picture with their @OKCStreetcar Chocolate Bar

● Uses Hashtags: #LovetheLoops #ShopSmallOKC

And…I have a top-secret listof all the places you can visit to find a chocolate bar — there are thousands of chocolate bars that need to be devoured this weekend, so make your small business Saturday plan right now.