How to cash in on GOP hoopla

From wine to chocolates to skin moisturizers to back rubs, some goods and services in the Twin Cities will be on sale during the Republican National Convention.

Officials in St. Paul and Minneapolis unveiled the discount program Wednesday, hoping to discourage the populace from fleeing the Twin Cities during the GOP event.

"Cancel your out-of-town plans," declared Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.

"This is a great opportunity to remind us all that the metro area is open for business during the convention," said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

Officials are aware that in 2004, faced with demonstrations and heavy security, Boston, which was hosting the Democratic National Convention, discouraged the public from coming downtown, and many business owners complained. Since the convention here was announced, both mayors have taken the opposite tack, urging people to join in the hoopla, rather than stay away from the two cities.

Rybak and Coleman showed up for a news conference on Wednesday morning at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub at 278 W. 7th St. in St. Paul, which is down the block from the Xcel Energy Center, to promote a "Stick Around" discount program offered by more than 100 businesses in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington from Saturday to Sept. 7.

To get a discount coupon, go to AwardMSP.com and print out your coupon.

Becky Sturm, Stormsister's owner, said she hopes that wives and significant others attending the convention will want to hit some of the "cute little neighborhoods" like the west side of St. Paul, where her shop is located, or Grand Avenue.

There appear to be more discounts from St. Paul than Minneapolis businesses, based on a cursory review of the lists. Asked about it, Rybak said, "Our focus has been trying to create interesting additional attractions that will appeal to a local audience, like CivicFest and spark24."

CivicFest will have 35 exhibits on U.S. and Minnesota political history at the Minneapolis Convention Center from Aug. 29 to Sept. 4, while spark24 features 24 hours of performance and entertainment in downtown Minneapolis, beginning at 5 p.m. Aug. 30.

The discount program is being promoted by the St. Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, Meet Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, Destination Bloomington and the Mall of America.