Business & Tech

Greater Salem Chamber Of Commerce Starts Gift Card Program

Business leaders around NH including in Salem are promoting #ShopLocalNH — and purchasing gift cards from local businesses once a week.

Gift Card Wednesday is a new way to promote Salem, Windham, and other businesses — by supporting them now, when they need it.
Gift Card Wednesday is a new way to promote Salem, Windham, and other businesses — by supporting them now, when they need it. (Greater Salem Chamber Of Commerce)

SALEM, NH — The Greater Salem Chamber Of Commerce as well as others around New Hampshire are starting a new "Gift Card Wednesday" initiative to promote local businesses.

According to Donna Morris, president of the organization, which represents businesses in Atkinson, Hampstead, Pelham, Salem, and Windham, the new coronavirus is "hitting everyone hard." Now, more than ever, she said, local businesses needed the community's support. And, by buying a gift every Wednesday for the next month, it will "provide the business with much needed cash flow — while you will be able to redeem it later."

Restaurants, gas stations, dry cleaners, hardware stores, bakeries, she added, "everyone is hurting." But these businesses have gift cards available online or by curbside pick-up.

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"People will ask, 'What if they go out of business?,'" she said. "To this I say, 'At least you can say you tried to help them.'"

After purchasing gift cards, Morris said, people can take a picture and share it on social media with the hashtag #ShopLocalNH — which helps give the business even more visibility.

Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Other chambers, including the Greater Merrimack Souhegan Valley and the Lake Region Chamber are also joining in, she said.

For more information, visit the chamber's website here.

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