DK! BIA expects Downtown Dollars to hit $1M in sales this holiday season

The Downtown Kingston! BIA has announced the continuation of the Downtown Dollars promotion this holiday season. Although Downtown Dollars are available all year long, they are currently on sale for a 20 per cent discount while supplies last.

This popular promotion, implemented 11 months ago by the Director of Events at Downtown Kingston!, Jan MacDonald, has been a huge support for many downtown businesses as they navigate through COVID-19, according to a release from the BIA.

“In November/December 2020, when our downtown business owners were experiencing a third wave of restrictions, the BIA searched for the best possible way we could make a difference,” said MacDonald. “That was the beginning of a hugely successful 20 per cent promotion on Downtown Dollars.”

The BIA was able to redirect a portion of their surplus event budget towards the initiative because COVID-19 had cancelled many events the previous summer, according to the release. The BIA said that within two months over $600,000 Downtown Dollars were purchased, mostly by the local community.

“For the community of Kingston,” added MacDonald, “ it was a simple way to support local business owners in an extremely challenging time, as well as give the gift of local shopping to people on their list.”

Downtown Dollars 20 per cent off promotion is back this holiday and is expected to hit over $1,000,000 in sales, the BIA said. Downtown Dollars work in the same way as a gift certificate and can be used in over 120 downtown shops, restaurants, and services. According to the release, not only are they a perfect gift for a friend, loved one, or as a treat to yourself, they’re the perfect way to support downtown businesses.

Downtown Dollars can be purchased in $10, $20, and $50 increments at downtownkingston.ca. Transactions are tendered as a cash transaction and proper change is given in return.

When shopping with Downtown Dollars look for a “Downtown Dollars Gladly Accepted Here” sign in store windows or access a list of participating businesses on the Downtown Kingston! website.