Buffalo, NY (WBEN) While this Black Friday is one for the history books and won't see the crushing lines and crowds, plenty of people are on the hunt for a good retail deal. One way to shop local and save big is to take advantage of a program being touted aggressively by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz says you can shop this holiday season and help local merchants. He adds you don't have to leave your house to do it.
"Spend your money at a local establishment," urges Poloncarz as he touts SHOP716 during briefings this week. "If you spend your money in a local establishment, it will keep you employed and they will spend their money someplace else here."
SHOP716 is an electronic gift card, that can be used at any location that has signed up for the program. "You can buy it online. If you send to a recipient, that person gets it immediately. We want people to shop and know the local economy needs to be supported," notes Poloncarz.
Poloncarz says if you buy a $25 gift card, you'll get a free gift card for the same amount. Until Monday, a free $50 gift card if you buy a $50 gift card.
Poloncarz says there are already 400 participating businesses. "If you'd like to participate, go to amherst.org/shop716 and click on merchants to be included," says Poloncarz.
Poloncarz says it's been a hit so far. 7,200 cards have been bought worth $204,000, with $35,000 used at local businesses.
