Planning a Bomb Grand Opening Event With a Bang

Featured photo by Wallflowers Photography

We recently signed on The Bomb Bar as a client to help plan the opening of their Raleigh location in Gateway Plaza, and it has been such a fun process so far getting the news of their new outpost out there and prepping for their big grand opening celebration! With its wonderful mission, inspiring backstory, and delicious fare, the smoothie bar, coffee shop, and healthy eats cafe has been so easy to work with. It has been such a pleasure to shine a light on their colorful nutrition-packed Blender Bomb smoothies and wholesome fuel-packed toasts and bowls—plus their dedication to wellness of both the body and mind.

We knew Raleigh would be just as excited about their new location as we were. And, so, we put our marketing/social/event planning prowess to work to spread the word about the good-for-you hot spot and help plan an epic opening weekend Friday, Nov. 15–Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, that would attract all walks of the community. Right off the bat, The Bomb Bar got media attention from several local outlets (online, print, and radio), and our press releases resulted in a higher-than-average open rate, up to 51%!

To let you in on all the behind-the-scenes work that went into The Bomb Bar’s announcements, preview, and grand opening events, we tapped our savvy Director of Content Tara Pupilli. Read the Q&A below!

How did Raleighwood go about alerting the masses of The Bomb Bar’s opening to ensure the public and media were well aware of it?

We really did a full-court press to try to get it out to as many people as possible. To start, we put together a curated list of local influencers and media. We also worked with Helen Leland, the founder of Blender Bombs, to make personal invites to specific people we wanted to make sure were there. We started with a press release that went to everyone, letting them know about the grand opening and The Bomb Bar in general. Then, we sent them a more personal invite to the VIP influencer and media event on Friday. We wanted this event to be a little different than just coming out to sample the smoothies (though they are delicious in their own right!). Leland had the idea to host a masterclass entitled Growing as an Influencer, during which she shared personal insights and pro tips on building a brand that’s as powerful as it is authentic. After sending the initial invite, we did a resend to everyone who did not open after two days. 

For the Grand Opening event on Saturday, we created a Facebook event and submitted it to our list of event publications. We also worked with The Bomb Bar team to promote it on social media and reached out to media and influencers to help us promote it as well. In the invite we sent to influencers, we sent specific hashtags and info for them to use to further help us spread the word.

How did you incorporate The Bomb Bar’s own personal brand/story in those press releases, posts, event listings, etc.?

We worked closely with Leland and Raleigh owner Mandy Landaas to get specific insights on how their partnership came about. We were able to incorporate quotes from both of them about their personal experiences and lives that really have shaped The Bomb Bar in Raleigh. 

What was the media response like to the opening?

At the Friday VIP/media event, we had over 40 people people—but what was really impressive was how engaged the attendees were. The talk with Leland was very informative and the audience was engaged and asked lots of questions. They also took to social media and flooded their feeds with all things Bomb Bar. 

Additionally, the response on Saturday from the public was amazing! We had people lined up at 10 a.m. to get goodie bags. These were for the first 50 people only and it was something we asked the media and influencers to help us spread the word about. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., there was a line out the door. Not only were people sampling smoothies, but they were waiting in line to order their own, as well as purchase the Blender Bombs and meet and take pictures with Leland and Landaas. They were also highly engaged with the vendors and stuck around for a while to enjoy everything that was going on.

How did you collaborate with existing local businesses during the Grand Opening events to build on that sense of community already existing in the area?

Our first meeting after connecting with Landaas was with York Properties. We wanted to make sure that all the tenants knew The Bomb Bar was opening and that we wanted them to be a part of it in some way. To start, we sent them all the press release and gave them the opportunity to be on-site with a table at the grand opening or to put things in the goodie bags. Many of the tenants, including Arrichion Hot Yoga + Circuit Training, Woof Gang Bakery, and Menagerie Style House, put together impressive take-homes for the goodie bags, including samples and discounts. 

What special activities did you plan to ensure the Grand Opening events were inclusive for all, especially kids and families?

We reached out to local vendors we thought would be a good fit. We had Sports With Coach Scott there to entertain the kids and get their bodies moving. We thought this way the adults would really be able to sample the offerings and get to know the owners while the kids had fun. Coach Scott brought games, a parachute, and more to make it a memorable day for people of all ages. For the kids, we also had face painting with The MelodyMaker Entertainment. Vivian’s Denim + Bar was onsite with denim (of course), items for entertaining, and gifts. Bofémme was also there making custom trucker hats that really stole the show. The kids were the first to start the trend—and then it seemed everyone had on a custom trucker hat!

For our balloon arch, we worked with Merryanne at Empty Nest Rentals and she really brought our ideas to life, including making “bomb” balloons. We also worked with BaySix to design kid’s t-shirts that said “Feed Me Well” to sell at the grand opening. BaySix made custom belt bags, too, with little bombs on them. All of these vendors were amazing at the event, but their presence on social media really contributed to the amount of people who attended. 

What was the response like from the Grand Opening?

We had an incredible response in-person and online, and it has not stopped. People seemed to really enjoy the smoothies, the staff, and the overall good vibes from The Bomb Bar. For media members who could not make it to the grand opening, we set up other times they can come by and have already gotten a great response, showing there is lots of interest. 

Work With Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group on Your Next Announcement or Event

Our team truly does wear many hats, and our No. 1 priority is ensuring all of our client’s goals are met with the utmost care and attention to detail. Whether you have an announcement that needs media attention, a website revamp, help with your social media presence, or are planning an event, we can use our dedicated resources and invaluable team to get the job done. Contact us at Info@RaleighwoodMedia.com or 919-229-9725 to see how we can work together.

• Category: Client Features, Digital Marketing, Email Marketing, Events, Marketing