STAYING LOCAL
DDA offers extra money with Downtown Dollars e-gift cards
Downtown Clawson shoppers and diners can get bonus money if they buy Downtown Dollars e- gift cards to use at local businesses.
The Downtown Development Authority raised money to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the funds are being used for the Downtown Clawson Dollars program, said Joan Horton, DDA executive director.
“The DDA is giving away free money because we want to circulate more money” to businesses, she said.
The e- gift card program started a few weeks ago. People can buy the cards online at app.yiftee.com/gift- card/clawson.
For each $25, $50 or $100 gift card purchased buyers will get another 20 percent of credit on the value of each card from the DDA. On an average $50 card that’s equal to $10.
Now through the end of the month, the DDA is also paying the typical transaction fees on the cards.
“We want to make it easy for the consumer,” Horton said.
More than 20 downtown Clawson restaurants and retailers are already accepting the gift cards at their businesses and more are joining in, she added.
Downtown Dollars programs with egift cards have become popular in other nearby cities, such as Royal Oak.
Merchants, restaurant owners and DDA officials in Royal Oak said last week they have noticed people are shopping and dining in their own towns during the pandemic when they can to support their local businesses.
In Clawson, so far, restaurants are seeing more customers using e-gifts than retail businesses.
That may be because local retail shoppers have not yet heard about the cards and bonus money yet, or understood how it can save them money, Horton said.
Those who buy a downtown Clawson egift card can also send it to a friend or relative with a personal message by text, email or a physical copy of the card.
People can use the cards at any of the growing number of businesses in downtown Clawson that accept them.
“The gift cards retain their value as long as there is still money on them,” Horton said.
One card can be used at multiple businesses. Bonus dollars on the cards from the DDA have to be used by March 31.
The DDA will continue to cover transaction fees on the cards through Dec. 31, or as long a bonus dollar funds last.
“If people think they are going to be buying things locally they might as well get the free dollars that come with the cards,” Horton said.
For each $25, $50 or $100 gift card purchased buyers will get another 20 percent of credit on the value of each card from the DDA. On an average $50 card that’s equal to $10.