The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
$22K gift card purchase ‘win-win’ for Pratt
Executive says deal helps firm’s at-home workers and downtown Middletown businesses
MIDDLETOWN — The Main Street business community was thrilled by the purchase of more than $22,000 in gift cards by a local manufacturer for its Middletown employees operating from home during the pandemic.
In all, 1,500 Downtown Business District Gift Cards, at $15 each, were given to employees working at Pratt and Whitney’s Middletown production and assembly facility on Aircraft Road. The sum represents one-third of the district’s typical
sales, according to DBD Coordinator Sandra Russo Driska.
The announcement was made at Thursday morning’s Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce Central Business Bureau meeting, which had about 75 attendees on Zoom. Many lauded aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney’s commitment to the city’s small businesses heavily affected by COVID-19.
“Thanking our essential employees by buying them lunch at a local restaurant felt like a small way we could support the community,” Sonny Mehta, associate director of Pratt & Whitney’s Product Delivery Center, said Thursday. “We decided everyone who was operating out of Middletown was going to get a thank you, vis-à-vis these gift cards.”
In an average year, the DBD takes in about $60,000 in sales of the cards. Last year, revenue was down because of the pandemic, but still reached $45,000, Russo Driska said. “My hope is they use them for parking, purchasing gifts, food or drinks,” she said.
The cards can be used at some 90 restaurants and other merchants on Main Street, including Krust, Stella D’Oro, Fiore II, Powder Hollow Brewery, NoRA Cupcake Co, Pokemoto, Tibetan Kitchen and Perkatory Coffee Roasters; as well as Public Market, Mike’s Barber Shop, CityHair Design, Middletown Framing, P.J. Jewelers, Spread Cheese Co., and Lastrina Girls Bridal Salon.
This is the first time the company has distributed such incentives at the Middletown site, which employs about 1,500 workers, Mehta said. “Knowing how hard small businesses in particular have struggled during the COVID-19 outbreak, Pratt wanted to give them a little boost in business.”
Not only will Pratt & Whitney employees benefit, but local merchants will, as well, Mehta said. “This was a win-win. It was the idea of doing right by all the COVID protocols,” he said.
“... As a company, we recognize an opportunity to give back to communities where we operate. This was a nice way to do it.”
Patronizing local businesses is more crucial than ever during the pandemic, Chamber President Larry McHugh said during the meeting.
CBB Chairwoman Pamela Steele told attendees that lately there has been misinformation circulating that certain places are no longer operating, which is not the case for those she has learned about.
“Some of them are falsely saying businesses are closing, some of them are just rumors, and, clearly, people are not informed,” Steele said. “It’s a little disheartening to hear that people feel that nothing is being done for the businesses. We all know that is absolutely not true.
“Some people put things out there, and everybody else runs with it,” she said.
Public Market owner Josh Morris said Wednesday the rumors about his grocery store closing were untrue, and said he had received more than 30 calls from worried patrons. Morris told The Press he was very frustrated by the situation.
“It is unfortunate there was a publication about this very difficult and emotionally draining decision when final decisions haven’t been set in stone,” he posted on the What’s Happening in Middletown Facebook page, adding staff will continue to serve customers “until we have a final decision.”
“Thank you for your continued support and respect of a delicate situation,” Morris wrote.
Meanwhile, Mehta is keen on using his gift card at Amici Italian Grill, at 280 Main St. in Riverview Center. “That’s where I’m going. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there, but if I have the opportunity on the drive home, I’m going to pop in there,” he said.
Online card purchases take between two and three days to process, after which they will be mailed out, Russo Driska said.
To view participating merchants, see downtownmiddletown.com .