1. What is the South Jersey NeighborGoods Market?
The South Jersey NeighborGoods Market is an online marketplace where customers can discover and purchase unique merchandise from local South Jersey restaurants. It’s a simple way to increase your merchandise sales and gain new customers with minimal effort.
2. How does the marketplace work for restaurants?
- No Cost to Participate: It’s free for restaurants to join.
- Increased Visibility: Your merchandise will be showcased to a broader audience beyond your current in-store customers. Vacationers, Collectors, Fashionistas, etc. There are so many potential customers besides those who walk in your door.
- Simple Process: Set aside merch dedicated for the online marketplace. You'll receive shipping labels from us when orders are placed. You only need to package and ship the orders (once or twice per week).
- Earnings: You receive the same profit margin as your current in-person merch sales, plus bet an extra $1 per item for packaging, and the customer covers all shipping costs. The marketplace adds a $5 markup per item to cover operational costs.
- Monthly Payouts: Payments for merchandise sales, plus the $1 per item handling fee, are made within 5 days after the end of each month.
3. Why is the merch more expensive online than in-person?
We aim to retain your current profit margins for merchandise sales. Our markup covers logistics of running the marketplace. The additional $1 per item compensates your restaurant for the time and effort to package orders — an added task that isn’t required for in-person sales. Additionally, the higher online price encourages potential customers to visit your restaurant in person to save money on merchandise. This increases the likelihood that they’ll try your food, creating even more business and support for local mom-and-pop restaurants.
4. Why should my restaurant join the South Jersey NeighborGoods Market?
- Increase Sales: Reach customers who might not be aware of your merchandise.
- Gain Exposure: Benefit from our marketing efforts to drive more sales and visibility.
- Minimal Effort: The process is simple, with no cost or extra workload. You package orders, and we handle the rest.
5. What is the cost for restaurants to join?
There is no cost to participate. The marketplace covers its operational expenses with a small markup on each item sold.
6. How do I get my restaurant involved?
If you're interested in joining, please fill out this Google Form or provide your contact information directly, and we’ll reach out to guide you through the process.
7. How do restaurants receive their earnings?
Restaurants receive their earnings from merchandise sales, including the $1 handling fee per item, through monthly payouts made within 5 days after the end of each month.
8. What if I have more questions?
You can reach out to Mike (aka Dirk), the founder of South Jersey Schnitz and the NeighborGoods Market, at SouthJerseySchnitz@gmail.com, and I'll be happy to help!