Small businesses on the West Side
are among the more than 750 businesses that are participating in the Shop 716
program to help in the recovery from losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year the program helped bring in
$2 million in the Come Back to our Comeback campaign. The success of that
program prompted the promotional eGift card initiative from Erie County. The program
allows patrons to buy a gift card valued at at least $25 and get a $25 gift
card for free.
This is the second year of the Shop 716
program appears to be achieving the same levels of interest as last year.
“We’re reaching just about $2
million that has injected into the local independent Erie County businesses,” said
Christine Langenfeld, director of marketing and operations for the Amherst
Chamber of Commerce.
Langenfeld
also said that there has been nothing but positive feedback from all the
businesses.
One West Side businesses in the
Shop 716 program is Elmwood Pet Supplies, 706 Elmwood Ave. The eGift Card has
brought people in from the suburbs to shop at the store.
“I think
everyone’s hope is to not send money out of the area, and support your local
merchants,” Co-Owner Tom Higgins said.
Shop 716 includes an array retail and service
businesses. The free promotional gift card expirse on Dec. 30 to promote
customers to use them during the holiday season. By Evan DiPasquale, Michaela Frazier and Danielle Stiegler
