OCEAN CITY – Park Place Jewelers is taking on the snow again this year with its second Let it Snow Campaign.
Last week Park Place Jewelers announced its promotion, “Let it Snow and it’s Free,” from Nov. 28-Dec. 24, any jewelry purchase made at Park Place Jewelers will be refunded, less sales tax, if the Ocean City Maryland Municipal Airport receives one inch of fresh snowfall on News Year’s Day, Jan. 1, between noon and midnight.
Last year was a close call when Ocean City received over an inch of snow on Jan. 2.
“We only missed it by one day last year. We actually only missed it by 12 hours, or less, so for those people who thought it wasn’t plausible I would hope that they are believers now,” said Todd Ferrante, co-owner of Park Place Jewelers with his wife, Jill. “I was excited about it. We really appreciate our customers and we would enjoy nothing more than if they could get their jewelry for free … and if it happens it is something to talk about.”
Although Ferrante wouldn’t give away a tally of what would have been refunded last year if it snowed on New Year’s Day, he said “it was a fair amount of jewelry because Christmas if our busiest time of the year.”
This year Park Place Jewelers is giving the campaign another chance especially since the Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a reasonable amount of precipitation this winter.
“Anything is possible,” Ferrante said. “To me, it’s much more than a promotion because I don’t know too many retailers where you can go that if an event happens you can get something for free. That doesn’t happen very often. For me, it is exciting that there is a possibility that everyone can get something for free.”
Ferrante began the campaign last year after he heard about Gardiners Furniture of Baltimore advertising all merchandise purchased in the days leading up to the Super Bowl in 2012 would be free if the Ravens scored on a kickoff return to begin the game or second half. Jacoby Jones opened the second half returning a kick 108 yards for a touchdown, and Gardiners ended up paying $600,000 worth of furniture to hold true to the promotion.
That is when it was decided to give the concept a try at Park Place Jewelers, and in doing a little bit of research Ferrante found that it snows over an inch in Ocean City on average three times in in January.
In other news, for the third year, Men’s Night Out is being held Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Park Place Jewelers located in White Marlin Mall where Ravens cheerleaders will be in attendance to pose for pictures and give autographs. In addition, any purchase made is an opportunity to enter a drawing to win sports memorabilia.
“It has turned into much more than just a men’s night. Everybody is welcome, but sometimes men need an excuse to get out and shop. It is a fun night. It is all about getting into the Christmas spirit,” Ferrante said.
Park Place Jewelers’ holiday season excitement doesn’t end there because with a purchase of a diamond ring $2,599 or more customers also become eligible for a three-night cruise on a Norwegian cruise line, or a two-night stay with a $50 Visa gift card in an upscale hotel.
“For those who are thinking about getting engaged over the holidays,” Ferrante said.
In 1996, Ferrante opened Michael Jewelers on 5th Street and the Boardwalk. Three years later, he opened Park Place Jewelers between 2nd and 3rd streets and the boardwalk. When Jill joined him in his endeavor, he expanded to West Ocean City. The store is located in the White Marlin Mall.