Shop 716 continues for the 2022 holiday season with almost 900 participating merchants and include businesses from all over Western New York. Folks are encouraged to purchase or gift a shop 716 eGift card to their loved ones, friends, or employees and spread the message of “shop local and support local.”
“It is still super important that the community shops local and supports local,” said Christine Langenfeld, director of marketing and operations at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce which has administered the Shop 716 program for Erie County since it began in November 2020.
Initially, the program was created by Erie County to assist in the recovery of local businesses affected by covid. Since its inception, the Shop 716 initiative has generated over $2.67 million in sales for local merchants. Since various pandemic recovery funds were used to start and support the eGift Card program, this year the program continues support of our small business community but without the promotional giveaways.
The program is a collaborative for local independents. “It is our hope that this successful program will continue to live on and continue to contribute to the success of business owners, their staff, and the local economy.”
Shop 716 makes it possible for folks to get reacquainted with businesses in their neighborhoods. Not only is the eGift Card a passport to all things that make WNY special, but it continues to have a positive economic impact on the livelihoods of our friends, neighbors, and families said Langenfeld.
With the effects of inflation currently being felt across WNY, now more than ever, folks are encouraged to come together as a community and support local with Shop 716.
Additionally, Langenfeld expressed that shopping locally has a positive impact on the environment and leads to a cut down on transportation costs and harmful carbon emissions. Furthermore, Shop 716 excludes participation from big box stores as the initiative is really designed to support WNY independent businesses.
“You can use the Shop 716 eGift Card at many local restaurants, retailers, attractions, and even for services. There are many different industries available on the list,” said Langenfeld.
You can click here to see a full list of participating merchants.
For those gifting or purchasing a Shop 716 eGift Card, the purchased cards do not expire and can only be used at participating local merchants.
Click here to get your shop 716 eGift Card today!
If you are interested in participating as a merchant, and can process a key punch Mastercard, click here.
Photo by Monika Stawowy on Unsplash