SYDNEY, N.S. — Value priced desserts, breaks at restaurants and discounts on fitness packages are among the many incentives offered as part of a Cape Breton initiative designed to bring customers back into the shopping world after a global pandemic had many of them staying at home.
Flash the Pass is the next aspect of the Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce Step Up For Local Campaign. It’s a badge you can screenshot on your phone or bring up on one of the chamber’s social media channels. Just flash it to a participating business as you shop to enjoy a discount.
“It is one thing to encourage people to step up for local and then it is another thing to take the action and support local business,” said chamber chief executive officer Kathleen Yurchesyn.
“In thinking about that concept I believe that the chamber has a role to kind of help to facilitate that action. That’s where the Flash the Pass idea was born.”
The Cape Breton Regional Chamber of Commerce launched its Step up for Local campaign in August to bring awareness to the importance of shopping local to help local businesses recover from the pandemic.
According to the chamber, 45 cents of every dollar spent at a locally-owned business stays in the local economy, versus 14 cents spent at larger chains.
“Another premise of or roll of the step up for local campaign is to recognize and remember that our local businesses and our local entrepreneurs are our neighbours operating in our neighbourhoods and there’s that collective family type community vibe when you think about it like that,” Yurchesyn said.
“This pass will connect all these businesses and create that common denominator in terms of participating and the belief we all need to play a role in stepping up for local and supporting our local economy.”
The COVID-19 pandemic had an early impact at Not Just Cakes Sweet Studio but business has never been better since their reopening in June. Owner Tara Parsons-Donovan hopes participation in the pass initiative will help to continue that trend.
“People have been getting out and shopping local,” she said. “It’s busy as it is but a little bit of extra initiative will help, especially in September when people are going back to school.”
In the past, there’s been a bit of a dip in business in September, but 15 per cent off their signature cupcakes for the entire month might just change that.
A growing roster of participating businesses offering September incentives also includes Mackillop’s Flowers, Mercer Fuels, Fired Creations, Collette’s Restaurant in Glace Bay and Vintage Jewellers.
There is no obligation to participate even if you’re hosting a decal. However, participating businesses will be promoted on the chamber website and through its social media channels. Businesses can email [email protected] with an incentive or call 902-564-6453.
The Flash the Pass decal and details on participating businesses will be available on the chamber website and social media platforms.
Canada United Weekend
While alcohol sales have been up during the pandemic, not every booze-related business prospered. Mike Lim, co-owner of Chain Yard Urban Cidery in Halifax, said they had to lay off most of their staff and shift to a home-delivery model for most of their sales.
Fortunately business is improving, but it’s a slow process.
“It’s getting better,” Lim said. “People are still a little wary to come out. I still think it’s going to take a little while before we’re back up to 100 per cent capacity of what a normal Friday night was.”
He and other small business owners are taking part this weekend in a national initiative started by RBC called Canada United Weekend to encourage people to support local businesses.
There are prizes and contests associated with the campaign which will raise up to $2 million to provide grants for small businesses with personal protective equipment costs, as well as money for renovations needed to meet reopening guidelines and funds to help set up or improve e-commerce capabilities. More information is available at gocanadaunited.ca.
“I think many small businesses are really suffering during this pandemic. Things like Canada United are really showcasing businesses that are open and doing everything right,” Lim said.
With files from Ryan Taplin
