There is a new currency in the city and it aims to attract new shoppers to an east London neighbourhood.
The Argyle BIA unveiled the Argyle Currency Gift Card on Thursday. The physical gift card is valid at multiple businesses in the neighbourhood including Razors Barber Shop and Craklins Fish & Chips.
The business association hopes the card will not only promote locally owned retailers and establishments, but draw people from other areas of the city into Argyle.
“Argyle is a diverse area with everything you need, from butchers and grocery stores to auto shops and wellness, with big box as well as home-grown stores. We also have some really unique businesses and a fantastic sense of community,” said Leah Thomas, the BIA’s communications and creative director. “The Argyle Currency Gift Card will benefit all of our businesses because it’s easy for them to accept the gift card and will keep dollars where we want to see them, here in Argyle. It will also encourage those from the wider London area to discover Argyle.”
The cards will be available to buy either online or in-person from the Argyle BIA office at 1815 Dundas St. In addition to that, the cards will be awarded as prizes at community events, Thomas said.
Lina Marie Phillips, the owner of Craklins Fish & Chips, noted that with businesses increasingly vying for what few extra dollars customers have it is nice to be a part of a program designed to shine a light on those locally owned.
“The gift card is a really neat little program that will bring an economic boost to the Argyle District and make you feel good when you buy it,” said Phillips. “It’s exciting to think that we have an influx of dollars on the way that will really help local businesses to survive or even to expand.”
The cards do not expire, are non-reloadable, and cannot be exchanged for cash.
