A new Web site that offers discounts to local restaurants, retail stores and events is beginning to attract AU students with its deals.
CityShopGirl.com, founded in October of 2008 by Kelly Collis Fredrick, lets users register for free to receive daily e-mail updates about promotions in the D.C. area. Users can then redeem the promotional codes at such locations as Mie N Yu restaurant in Georgetown, the D.C. Shorts Film Fest and NationalJeanCompany.com, according to Fredrick.
"I think every shopper is always looking for a good deal and CityShopGirl aims to do just that," Fredrick said in an e-mail. "CityShopGirl keeps the promotion short and to the point; meant to be read on your iPhone or BlackBerry."
Fredrick works directly with the vendors, charging a fee in exchange for the publicity she gives them among CityShopGirl readers. Spas and specialty stores are especially popular, Fredrick said.
"We look for hip and trendy locations that our readers want to go to," she said in an e-mail.
Shannon Green, a sophomore in the School of Communication, has been interning for CityShopGirl since the beginning of this semester. Green was originally drawn to the company because it was something local that she and her friends could take advantage of, she said.
"I really like how [Fredrick] focuses on all kinds of things going on in D.C.," Green said.
Green has used CityShopGirl promotions several times, including at Dupont Circle's Firefly restaurant and bar, as well as at NationalJeanCompany.com. The discounts are typically between 15 and 20 percent. While some of the vendors are more expensive, many are within the means of a college student, she said.
While the site mainly targets females between the ages of 18 and 25, Green said that the restaurant and event promotions open CityShopGirl up to men as well.
Plans could also be formulated for a CityShopGuy.com, according to Fredrick.
Louis Peterson, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, said he could see males using CityShopGirl just as much as females.
"I don't see it being gender specific because I know there are certainly guys who spend a lot of money on clothing, but I really don't have the disposable income right now to even consider that," Peterson said.
Green is currently helping Fredrick develop a branch of CityShopGirl for Philadelphia, Green said. Originally from Philadelphia, Green is researching a list of potential vendors in her hometown area, she said.
Kimberly Dustman, a junior in the Washington Semester's economic policy program, said she would definitely use a site like CityShopGirl.
"I'm originally from the rural Philadelphia area so I haven't ventured out into the city too much, so I think it would definitely be great if I knew what was going on and the sales that all the stores were having," she said.
Dustman said she would especially appreciate discounts to restaurants and clothing stores, as she gets tired of eating on campus and is also trying to build up her professional wardrobe.
Green feels CityShopGirl has the potential to become popular on AU's campus. The site already has a strong following at Georgetown University and George Washington University, she said.
"[Fredrick]'s trying to get the AU crowd really involved," Green said.
To help encourage the AU community to join, CityShopGirl has already featured several special discounts for students and hopes to do many more, Fredrick said.
You can reach this staff writer at mkendall@theeagleonline.com.
