New program promotes local stores and shopping

Oct 24, 2019 | 3:46 PM

A new initiative aims to help small businesses while encouraging residents to shop local.

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with The Local Gift Card, an Okanagan-based program that can be used at participating businesses in the area.

According to the program’s website, the recipient of the purchaser’s gift card can choose to use it any participating business. If they want to use the same gift card at a few businesses they can do that too.

“Know with confidence that 100 per cent of your gift card money will go directly to an independent locally owned business,” stated the site.

Chamber General Manager Dione Chambers said the cards have a number of benefits.

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“We believe The Local Gift Card will increase the profile of participating merchants, particularly as they are a great gift idea for corporations and agencies to acknowledge their clients and staff,” Chambers said.

Sarah Coffey is the founder of the Local Gift Card.

Sarah Coffey, founder of The Local Gift Card (submitted photo)

“Gift cards have been around for a long time, but Sarah Coffey had the vision to embrace the growing desire of local residents to support small entrepreneurs right here at home,” Chambers said.

The chamber is making the program available to its members.

“It’s a great opportunity for restaurants, hair salons, spas and boutique shops to have access to a gift card that will be cross-promoted,” Chambers said.

Chamber members save 15 per cent on their annual fees with The Local Gift Card, and the first 20 Vernon businesses that sign up will be invited to an exclusive reception.

Gift cards will be available for purchase at the chamber office.

by Pete McIntyre

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