At the beginning of the 2010 holiday season, Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company introduced the “Spend Local, Stay Local” gift card program. Since the launch of the program, 990 gift cards in various denominations have been placed into circulation and $28,350.82 has been redeemed with participating retailers. In 2012 alone, $13,247.88 was spent in our local shops, restaurants and businesses using the gift cards.
The program was designed as a marketing and educational initiative to encourage consumers to shop at local businesses. The “Spend Local, Stay Local” gift card will work only at participating local, independent businesses and retailers. Gift cards may be purchased at Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company’s High Street location.
Retailers who opt to take part in the program will be added to the “closed-loop network,” and can accept the card for payment as they would any Discover Card transaction.
The program highlights the wide variety of businesses that are located right in our backyard. Current participating retailers include hardware stores, coffee shops, bookstores, salons, florists and gift shops. An up-to-date list of participating retailers is maintained on the program’s website.
“The best thing everyone can do to strengthen our local economy is to patronize our community businesses,” says James M. Anthony, President and CEO of Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company.
If you would like to accept the gift card, buy a gift card or learn more about the program, visit the website www.chesapeaketrust.com, send an email to spendlocal@chesapeaketrust.com or call Kristen Wright Owen at 410-778-1600.
matthew weir says
This is a wonderful program championed by Chesapeake Bank. They should be congratulated for taking the initiative. I would also like to make sure people are aware that every family of a Washington College student was sent a letter by President Reiss asking them to consider buying their son or daughter a card so that they might better support the Chestertown economy.