KANSAS CITY. Mo. -- Cosentino Price Chopper here will be going to the dogs next month when it hosts a "Teach Your Dog to Say 'Pasta' " contest at one of its stores.
Victor Cosentino, store director at the company's Blue Springs, Mo., location, said the event, sponsored by Kansas City, Kan.-based Thompson's Pet Pasta Products, will call attention to his pet food department.
"This is going to remind [customers] that we still do have dog food and pet food and that the grocery store is where it is at. This is a step in the right direction," he told SN.
The event has already resulted in lots of publicity for Cosentino's.
"We contacted some of the local papers and they just think this is going to be the neatest thing that has gone on here in a long time. We have already contacted a couple of TV stations and they are interested in this. Little kids and pets -- you can't ask for anything better to put on TV," Cosentino said.
"Plus, we're putting some fliers together and will be sending them out to all of the grade schools in the area so all the kids can bring their dogs up here that day," he added.
During the event, about 40 of the store's parking spaces will become a "barking lot" complete with a stage. An Elvis impersonator will sing, and a dog named Little King will do tricks.
Richard Thompson, president of Thompson's, said similar events will be staged in about 30 cities this year. Kroger's Dallas division, Dominick's Finer Foods, Wegmans and Meijer are among those planning to participate, Thompson said, noting sampling and coupon distribution will also be conducted at the events.
