The Downtown Cambridge Gift Card isn't the first of it’s kind, but it's the first “twinned” gift card program that shares distinct similarities with a United Kingdom city that bears the same name.
The Cambridge, Ont. version of the card was launched last month and aims to keep dollars spent within the city.
In Cambridge, U.K., their local gift card has seen incredible success in supporting the local economy. Since its launch in 2018, they’ve sold over $412,000 worth of cards.
“The Cambridge, UK version is well established and we're following suit here,” Brian Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Cambridge BIA said.
“The two cities are similar, including the drive to support local businesses and the same company manages both gift card programs.”
Kennedy sees the program fitting in well with the current and future growth that is happening in the downtown core.
As the city begins its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the money residents spend within the community is critical, Kennedy says.
“Small businesses have been hit very hard by the pandemic,” Kennedy said.
“There were several closures in the downtown core but it was also an opportunity for merchants to evolve. It caused a huge shift in consumer mind-set; they wanted to see their local small businesses come back stronger than ever. That was the key.”
The similarities between the two Cambridge cities doesn’t stop with the localized shopping experience they’re promoting.
Even though they’re over 3,500 miles apart, both cities have populations hovering around 130,000, feature beautiful rivers and unique architecture that make them distinct within the regions they call home.
Now it’s the hope of Kennedy, his team and the shops in the downtown that their gift card will catch up to the success their twin across the ocean has seen.
“The Downtown Cambridge Gift Card is a really easy tool that can be used to increase awareness and drive sales; it’s a smart brand that businesses can be a part of,” Kennedy said.
“It’s also the first time that we’ve had a gift card that covers participating businesses on both sides of the river, it's a complete Downtown Cambridge Gift Card. That makes it easier for customers to understand. As new condo towers open in the downtown, we can use the gift card to entice new residents downtown and encourage local shopping habits from the start.”
The Downtown Cambridge BIA will be out promoting the program this Thursday while celebrating Moonlight Shopping downtown.
Participating shops will be open until 8 p.m. for holiday hours and 100 Downtown Cambridge Gift Cards will be given away to the first 100 people that visit 29 Dickson St. starting at 6:00 p.m.
Gift cards will be limited to one per adult and range from $10 to $100.
