Fifteen Boundary County merchants ready for spring fling

Fifteen local merchants so far are participating in the First Robin of Spring Fling.

The merchants up and down the south hill and downtown will harbor the robin which will be shown in a new location every Monday and Wednesday on the Bonners Ferry Facebook page.

The idea is people can click on the robin and try to recognize what store it is in.  If a person knows all they have to do is go into the store and ask, “Has the robin been here?”  If it there that merchant will award a prize to the person. 

"It all started the other day, when I was taking photos inside E.T. Wireless for their new facebook page," said Carolyn Testa.

Eileen Marcotte, co-owner of E.T. Wireless, pulled out a fuzzy little Robin Beanie Baby that her husband Terry had bought for their grandchildren at the auction, Testa said.

"I thought, why not have the traveling robin show up at different locations and give prizes to the first five (or three, or one) people who guess the store and go there with the question, 'Has the Robin been here?’ “Marcotte said.

What a great way to reward customer participation and encourage visits from those who might not otherwise have stopped in, she said.

Testa photographed the Robin in unique locations of more than 15 participating stores.

"I'm not finished yet," said Testa." “It took the whole day to get those merchants photographed, and anyone is welcome to call me to request a visit from the robin if I don't get to them first."

Prizes will vary, and numbers of winners will vary per establishment.