We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
On June 7, Kadie Dahl, the owner of All Dahl'd Up, started something on social media. Followed by the two hashtags: #comingsoon and #June19th, Dahl asked: "What do unicorn farts, shark attacks, and 4th of July popsicles all have in common?" That was the beginning of a hype campaign that culminated in a Tea Party event on Saturday, June 19.
Although she didn't get a lot of engagement on that initial prompt, Dahl persisted. On June 9, she announced that several new displays were arriving in preparation for a tea party on June 19. Along with her comment, "I can't wait to show you all the new stuff I've been holding onto," Dahl shared her next clue: "Choco bears, cookies and cream, lemonade, birthday cake, and grasshopper. What are your guesses?!"
Replies were numerous and varied. They included predictions like bath bombs, body scrubs, soaps, ice cream flavors, a candy selection, candles, play dough, and mixed drinks.
Another set of clues arrived on June 10: "Stars and Stripes, naps and cozy. What do ya think?" That was followed on June 14 with "Next clues... Sugar cookie, red velvet, lemon, lavender, Alice in Wonderland." Then, four days before the event, these final clues emerged: "Crossbody, fringe, zipper, and pocket."
Saturday's Tea Party wasn't a sit down event where tea was slurped or sipped and snacks and treats were served. Although iced tea was available-in watermelon mint and blueberry lavender flavors-and petite brownies, lemon tarts, and vanilla plum cupcakes from the Streatery were featured, the tea party was intended to serve more as a theme to intrigue consumers. It was an invitation for customers to visit the boutique and allow Dahl to dress them up with new apparel and accessories, as well as an opportunity for shoppers to see all of the new home décor, bath items, mugs, and more available at the boutique and makeup shop located at 223 Indiana Street in Chinook.
People flocked from communities across Blaine County and beyond to shop the selection of fudge, as well as Candy Club bites and belts in assorted flavors. Teas, flavored sugars, and teapots are also available. Dahl stressed that these are products that shoppers can purchase and prepare at home; she's not operating like a coffee shop.
On Saturday, many of the customers wandered around the store reading, chuckling, and commenting positively about the variety of merchandise bearing slogans. Cups, t-shirts, and pillows all featured printed messages such as Not the Worst Mom, If you don't want a sarcastic answers, don't ask me; and Welcome to Our Home-please leave by 9 PM.
Although no one dressed up as the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire cat, or Tweedledum and Tweedledee, approximately 35 customers walked through the door in the first hour.
About that "rush hour" statistic, Dahl said, "I was shocked, I don't think I've ever had that many people in my store at one time. Even when I opened the first day!"
