Local Businesses Cash In on Downtown Dollars
LTTA says Downtown Dollars is a good way to support local businesses.
The Downtown Dollars program in Lawrenceville was implemented in 2007 after the staff of The Lawrenceville Visitors Center observed similar successful programs in other nearby communities in Georgia.
Downtown Dollars is a gift certificate program created to assist local businesses by encouraging customers to keep their spending in the downtown district.
They come in $5, $10 and $20 denominations. According to Rebekah Cline, marketing director for Lawrenceville Tourism & Trade Association, “Downtown Dollars are sold for a dollar per dollar value so there is no profit off of the sale of the Downtown Dollars.”
Cline says Downtown Dollars make a great gift for any occasion, and it is a nice alternative to giving cash or the typical gift card. They can be ordered in advance at any time of year or purchased outright at the Lawrenceville Visitors Center, Lawrenceville City Hall and Aurora Theatre.
Mary Peal, a longtime resident of Lawrenceville says of the program: "I love the idea of Downtown Dollars. Of course, I am an avid supporter of small business in Lawrenceville, and this seems like a good way to stimulate the economy."
The business owners overall have good feedback regarding the program, with the only downside of the length of time for reimbursement of purchases made with Downtown Dollars.
"I've had some success with it. I had someone purchase something before Christmas, but it took awhile to get reimbursed," says Dana Clark, owner of Made You Look. "It's a wonderful concept, but it takes too long to get the money back."
Kimberly Ko, owner of Corner Stop Cafe comments, "I had a couple of people use them (Downtown Dollars) just this week. It's worth it, though. If it helps businesses here, I'm for it."
Participating businesses are asked to display a Downtown Dollars promotional poster in their windows. To further generate business, The Lawrenceville Tourism & Trade Association plans to include Downtown Dollars on the website www.VisitLawrenceville.com.
“We are currently in the process of launching a merchandise page on the website… that will include the Downtown Dollars,” states Cline. “It should be launched in two weeks.”
More than 20 restaurants, retail stores, fitness centers and entertainment businesses in downtown Lawrenceville currently participate in the program. They include:
- Corner Stop Café
- Cosmo’s Little Italy Pizza
- Dominick’s Little Italy
- McCray’s Tavern
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Sweets on the Square
- The Singin’ Bean
- Uptown Café
- Oyster Bay Seafood Café
- Niko’s Wine Corner
- Aristeacrats
- Aurora Theatre
- Cupid’s Bow
- Fleet Feet Sports
- Miracles of Massage
- Scotland Yard Antiques
- Sikes & Davis Interiors
- Sparkle!
- Dance Fusion and Fitness
- Yarn Garden
- College Nannies & Tutors
- The LONA Gallery & Gifts
- Polished Affairs, LLC
- Peachstate Party Supplies
- Antoinette’s Gift Boutique
- Magnolias
- Made You Look
- 2 CHIC Boutique & Consignment
In This article
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Aurora Theatre
128 W Pike St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Made You Look
164 E. Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
The Corner Stop Cafe
195 Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Cosmo's Original Little Italy Pizza
144 Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Dominick's of Lawrenceville
197 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
McCray's Tavern on the Square
100 North Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA
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Rita's Italian Ice Lawrenceville
Joined Patch Wednesday, January 19, 2011 -
Sweets on the Square
138 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
The Singin' Bean
195 Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Uptown Cafe
117 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Oyster Bay
125 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Niko's Wine Corner
178 E Crogan St SE Ste 210, Lawrenceville, GA -
Aristeacrats Tea Shop
178 E Crogan St SE Ste 250, Lawrenceville, GA -
Cupid's Bow Antiques
183 N Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Fleet Feet Sports
145 North Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Miracles of Massage
271 S Culver St Ste A, Lawrenceville, GA -
Scotland Yard Antiques
125 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Sikes & Davis Interiors and Fine Furniture
104 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Sparkle
178 E Crogan St, Ste 200, Lawrenceville, GA -
Dance Fusion and Fitness
116 E. Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA -
Yarn Garden Knit Shop
159 W Pike St, Lawrenceville, GA -
College Nannies & Tutors
1845 Grayson Hwy, Grayson, GA -
The LONA Gallery
176 W Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
Polished Affairs
480 N Perry St Ste G, Lawrenceville, GA -
Antoinette's Gift Boutique
178 E Crogan St SE Ste 240, Lawrenceville, GA -
Magnolias
150 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA -
2 Chic Boutique & Consignment
162 E Crogan St, Lawrenceville, GA
