The Publicity Club Coupon Contest of Smiths Falls 1931

Closing a campaign that has been tremendously successful, the Smiths Falls Publicity Club announced the results of its coupon contest yesterday and, revealed that Miss Lois Cook, with a total of 59,595 coupons was winner of the Chesterfield suite offered as first prize.

Mrs. Harry Buchanan took second prize and a beautiful wrist watch with 21,677 coupons and third prize of a bicycle went to Miss Beulah Miller who held 20,235 coupons. When the business campaign closed on Friday evening at six o’clock, piles of yellow, blue and pink coupons were resting, in the office, of J. H. Burns, official checking agent of the Club, and the wearisome task of counting up the coupons began.

The contest captured the interest of numerous Smiths Falls residents and, a very large number of entries were received. In all a total of 150,423 coupons were received and the total amount of business transacted, judged from these returns, was estimated to be $75,211.50. As only eighteen local establishments were represented in the club it is believed that the contest stimulated business to quite an extent.

At any rate, the results clearly indicate that the business depression period, is not as serious as more pessimistic speakers and writers would believe. Or that Smiths Falls has been unusually fortunate in escaping the general depression. Local merchants were very well pleased with the club campaign and report increased sales during the time it existed. Almost every customer seemed interested and, demanded coupons corresponding to his purchase and only a very few were absent minded, enough to depart without them. The contest attracted considerable attention throughout its tenure in Smiths Falls and local men and women went into the collecting game on a large scale. Many had friends collecting coupons and some regular organizations were formed.

Newspaper Article compiled by Grant McFarlane of Lanark.