The Sidney Business Improvement Area Society has introduced an incentive aimed at encouraging visitors and residents alike to support local businesses.
The group has launched the Sidney by the Sea Gift Card program, a new gift card which can be used at multiple downtown Sidney businesses, ranging from restaurants and cafes to stores and cultural attractions.
“We like to really invest in increasing footsteps in the area to increase sales and revenue for businesses, and we also really like to support the shop local concept to keep our area vibrant and successful,” said Natalie Bobrowich, business development manager with the BIA. “Hospitality businesses are still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, so it is definitely nice to give them a boost through the program.”
While she said tourism has been picking back up in Sidney recently, there is always a need to increase it, especially with challenges like the continued suspension of the Sidney-Anacortes, Wash. ferry service.
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The program is also aimed at other Greater Victoria residents as a way to encourage them to make a day trip out to the Saanich Peninsula when they wouldn’t otherwise consider it. Being able to use the gift card for all the businesses needed to make a full day – from spas to restaurants to boutique stores – should help accomplish that while bringing other economic benefits to the community.
“It allows merchants to find new customers, and there is also the fact that customers tend to spend around 65 per cent more than the gift card value when they use one, so it helps to elevate revenue while keeping dollars local.”
For Small Gods Brewing founder Chris Bjerrisgaard, the new gift card program offers a chance for the small business community to show off its character.
“The business community in Sidney is intertwined and what I like about the gift card is that it’s a collaborative effort for the town, and it gives the recipient choice. Instead of carrying gift vouchers for 10 different stores, one Sidney by the Sea Gift Card allows the recipient to experience Sidney in their own way,” he said in a news release. “There is so much to do in Sidney, and when all of that variety is packed together into one gift card, I think it will really show off our incredible offerings and amenities. The gift card is a distinct opportunity for Sidney to encourage short-haul tourists who might ordinarily blow past us on a boat to experience the town.”
The gift card is available to buy in person from the Sidney Visitor Centre at 2281 Beacon Ave., and online through a link on sidneybia.ca, with delivery available direct to the recipient.
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