The Rewards Of Shopping & Supporting Local
By: Josh Cross, CEO & President of the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
Free gift cards for shopping local? That’s just how we roll in Atascadero! I’m excited to share that our Shop Local Bonus program is returning for its second year. The team and I wanted to start the new year with a big program supporting Atascadero businesses and rewarding shoppers. There’s no better way to accomplish that than with our Shop Local Bonus program! Starting February 1, shoppers can begin earning $20 gift cards for every $100 they spend at qualified Atascadero businesses. This program goes until March 31. It’s just another great reason to support local!
One of my favorite parts of the program is where the $20 gifts are from; they’re not from big-box chains outside of our town. Instead, they’re from OUR community! Every business that is an Atascadero Chamber member with a physical location in Atascadero has the opportunity to reach out to the Chamber, and the Chamber will purchase gift cards from them. So, this program is a continuing cycle that supports local businesses.
Here’s how shoppers can get started – first, they need to start saving receipts to every retail, restaurant, and personal service business they shop at in Atascadero (excluding receipts from grocery stores and gas stations). Their receipts from February 1 to March 31 can be cumulative to equal $100. However, taxes, delivery fees, and shipping costs are not eligible toward their purchase total for the gift cards.
Then they can redeem their receipts by either bringing them into the Chamber or submitting photos of them online at our website, AtascaderoChamber.org/shop-local-bonus/. They’ll be able to choose their free $20 gift card to local participating businesses in OUR community. Gift cards to participating businesses may run out! So, we encourage all shoppers to get their receipts turned in quickly for their preferred gift cards. Households can earn up to two free gift cards!
The Shop Local Bonus program is our way of thanking our fantastic business community for all of their support over the years. Local businesses are at the heart of why we do what we do! Besides, establishments in our town do so much for our community. They hire local workers, support local families, donate to local youth programs, and support local nonprofits. Now’s our chance to give back and support them. As the Chamber, our goal is to lead the way in creating initiatives and programs that support local businesses and entrepreneurs!
Special thanks for Grigger Jones and Charles Bourbeau for sponsoring this program.
-Josh Cross, Atascadero Chamber CEO
President & CEO of the Atascadero Chamber | Josh Cross