The words “buy local” have been said a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic and now there’s an even easier way to do just that right from your own home.
The Chilliwack Economic Recovery Network launched its “Support Local Chilliwack” campaign where folks can buy virtual gift certificates from local businesses with a goal of using them at a later date.
When a gift certificate is purchased online, the business immediately receives the full value of the gift certificate without the expense of payment processing costs.
“We hope that people who are still employed can support local businesses by purchasing a gift certificate. This will provide local businesses with some cash flow to help make sure they will be around tomorrow,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “Thanks to the partners involved in the Chilliwack Economic Recovery Network, all funds from online gift certificate purchases go directly to local businesses, which will help support Chilliwack’s economy now and in the future.”
The Chilliwack Economic Recovery Network is a collaboration between Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation, Community Futures South Fraser, Stó:lō Community Futures, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Chilliwack, City of Chilliwack, and Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association.
Currently, you can buy the gift certificates from more than 20 Chilliwack businesses ranging from food to clothing to outdoor recreation to hair salons. More businesses continue to be added.
Once you purchase a gift certificate online at chilliwack.com/supportlocal, you’ll receive an email confirmation with an order number. It can be printed off or used directly from your smartphone and redeemed for goods and/or services. Gift certificates are available in $10, $25, $50 and $100 denominations.
Buyers are being asked to use the gift certificates about two months down the road once the pandemic has hopefully passed.
“In order to provide the most benefit to businesses, we ask that you do not use the gift certificates all at once as the pandemic restrictions are raised. As you can imagine, this might create another cash flow bottleneck for businesses if everyone uses the gift certificates as soon as shops re-open,” reads the website.
Support Local Chilliwack is part of the provincewide Support Local BC campaign.
Gift certificates can be used for yourself or as a gift for friends. Larger organizations can purchase gift certificates to use as giveaways, promotional items, speaker gifts or silent auction items. Buyers are encouraged to wait a few months after the business reopens to use the gift certificate.
“When local businesses suffer, Chilliwack suffers,” said Mayor Ken Popove. “The Support Local Chilliwack campaign is a great way to support small businesses, which are the heart of our community.”
If you are a local business owner that would like to join the Support Local Chilliwack campaign, email nicole.read@southfraser.com for more information.
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