A gift card program by the Downtown Development Association is giving Downtown Staunton’s business quite the boost. The cards are easy to use both for both shoppers and sellers.

The program launched in 2007, and anyone can buy a card. They come in ten, twenty, and fifty dollar increments. You can use these cards at more than eighty locally-owned stores downtown.

Local businesses say that these gift cards have really improved their sales.

One toy store owner who sells and redeems these gift cards in her downtown store, says that they are gaining popularity because of a push to buy local.

“People are continuing to buy locally. They’re understanding that there’s value in buying from local, independently-owned businesses,” said owner Erin Blanton.

Last year, there was more than a 40% increase in people who participated in the program.

The money from this program goes straight to the stores and reinvests itself downtown. Staunton Downtown Director Julie Markowitz says this can only help.

“You’ve got to really support your neighbors. These are people you know, they’re your neighbors, they’re your family, they’re people your children go to school with. There’s a human factor there that’s really important, too,” said Markowitz.

The Staunton Downtown Development Association sold $50,000 worth of the card to help local businesses in 2011. And they hope that means there are good times ahead economically in 2012.

The cards are sold at five local businesses, and the past couple years have been the strongest.

“It’s a really positive thing for everyone because it has that ripple effect in the community. It strengthens the entire economy,” said Markowitz.

For business owners like Blanton, the gift cards have helped out their stores.

“The money that’s the person’s, when they spend the gift card, is staying right here in the local economy, and that means a lot to me: especially as an independent business owner,” said Blanton.

And she plans on using the system to help her business as long as it’s around.

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