A revenue-boosting strategy that began years ago after snowy weather and construction hurt Ardmore retailers has returned with the aim of injecting $30,000 into the Main Line town’s economy.

The Ardmore Initiative, the suburb’s business improvement organization, opened Monday its Downtown Dollars program, which gives shoppers a chance to buy, what is essentially, local currency, writes Philadelphia Business Journal. 

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First, interested shoppers enter through the group’s Downtown Dollars program. If they are a selected through the lottery, the winners can purchase a gift card ranging in amount from $25 to $100 and then receive the same amount of the local currency.

A total of $15,000 worth of gift cards are available for purchase by the lottery winners. That money can be spent at more than a dozen local small businesses in Ardmore.

“This is one way to express our appreciation to our loyal customers as well as help the small business owners who are competing with malls and online shopping, as well as challenges from traffic changes due to construction and infrastructure improvements,” said Ardmore Intiative Executive Director Christine Vilardo in a statement.

One long-time supporter of One Ardmore is pucciManuli, a store offering unique children’s gifts that recently relocating, moving into the one-time Milkboy space that was a few doors down from its original location.

The toy store, along with several other shops around the Cricket and Lancaster avenues business corridor, accept the Downtown Dollars. Styche, Harry’s Treasures & Collectibles, Buckman’s Ski Shop and Delice et Chocolat are also participating, to name a few.

To read the complete story click here. 

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