'Celebrate Stratford' gift cards aim to boost town small businesses
The gift cards can be purchased by anyone online. The funds can then be used at more than 25 participating Stratford businesses.
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Stratford officials are calling it a win for the "little guy." The town has launched a new program to help support the small business community.
"Celebrate Stratford" gift cards can be purchased by anyone online. The funds can then be used at more than 25 participating Stratford businesses.
Del Mare Pizzeria, in Lordship, is one of the businesses participating.
“Small businesses are everything. They’re really what makes the world go round," co-owner Nick Emanuel says. "It definitely will help us in terms of getting more people to the area."
But it's not just restaurants participating. Dry cleaners, liquor stores, book stores and even home décor shops like Mellow Monkey are as well.
"By bringing visibility into the fact that these businesses exist," owner Howard Aspinwall says, "We make it more likely that people are going to discover these businesses that Stratford has to offer."
Mayor David Chess says keeping money circulating within the community will help fuel job creation, generate higher tax revenue, and give people extra spending value.
“We’re a pretty large town. People at the North End don’t know what’s at the South End," Mayor Chess says. "So we’re trying to sew it all together, and that’s what makes our community."
Town officials say they expect more local businesses to join the program.
