From DOWNTOWN BOWLING GREEN
There is a new way to shop small in Bowling Green. Downtown Bowling Green is excited to launch Downtown Digital Dollars, a digital community gift card that allows people to purchase, gift, and spend local right from their phone.
Downtown Digital Dollars can be purchased online, sent instantly by email, and used at participating downtown business with tap to pay. The new digital option is an expansion of the existing Downtown Dollars program – paper Downtown Dollars will continue to be available and accepted as usual.
To celebrate the launch, Downtown Bowling Green is offering a limited-time “Buy $50, Get $25” promotion. Customers who purchase $50 in Downtown Digital Dollars will receive a $25 bonus gift to spend locally, while promotional funds are available. Bonus gifts expire Dec. 31, while purchased Downtown Digital Dollars do not expire.
People can purchase or gift Downtown Digital Dollars at: https://downtown-bowling-green.yiftee.com.
Downtown Bowling Green received a grant from the Bowling Green Community Foundation to help build on the success of the existing Downtown Dollars program and introduce it to new customers. By adding a digital option, Downtown Bowling Green hopes to make shopping small easier for younger shoppers, BGSU students, families, visitors, and anyone looking for a simple way to keep more of their shopping close to home.
“Downtown Dollars have always been about intentionally keeping spending in our community,” said Hallie Williams, executive director of Downtown Bowling Green. “Going digital gives us a new opportunity to reach younger shoppers and encourage them to discover the Downtown businesses that make our community special.”
How Downtown Digital Dollars work:
- Purchase Downtown Digital Dollars online and send them by email.
- Add the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for tap to pay.
- Spend it at any participating Downtown Digital Dollars business.
- Purchased Downtown Digital Dollars do not expire.
- Downtown Digital Dollar purchases include a $1 + 5% convenience fee.
Downtown Digital Dollars are currently accepted at more than 20 downtown businesses, with additional merchants continuing to join the program. The most current list of participating merchants can be found at: https://downtown-bowling-green.yiftee.com/explore-businesses.
“Downtown Dollars have been a great way for people to intentionally support our local businesses for years,” said Amy Craft Ahrens, owner of For Keeps. “Adding a digital option gives even more people a reason to explore downtown, discover somewhere new, and keep their spending right here in Bowling Green.”
Zach Tracy of Juniper Brewing Company added, “When people choose to spend locally, that support has a real impact on the businesses and people behind them. Downtown Dolalrs make that choice even easier and give people another reason to come downtown and experience what we have to offer.”
“This isn’t about replacing something our community already knows and loves,” Williams said. “It’s about introducing a new customer to downtown. Whether you choose paper or digital, every Downtown Dollar is an invitation to shop small and invest in your community.”
For more information, to view participating businesses, or to purchase Downtown Digital Dollars, visit https://downtownbgohio.org/downtown-dollars.
The paper Downtown Dollars aren’t going anywhere. The longtime program will continue as usual, with no purchase fee, and will continue to be accepted by most downtown businesses. Paper Downtown Dollars can be purchased at For Keeps, 144 S. Main St., or through the Downtown Bowling Green office. Beginning Sept. 14, the Downtown Bowling Green office will be located at 248 S. Main St.
