Cash To Rain From The Sky In Brooklyn For 'Dumbo Dollars' Project

DUMBO, BROOKLYN — Thousands of "Dumbo Dollars" will rain from the sky this December to support local businesses in the waterfront neighborhood, the local business improvement district announced.

The Dumbo Business Improvement District will send $1,000 worth of "Dumbo Dollars," or vouchers that are each worth $20 each at local stores, parachuting down at surprise locations throughout the neighborhood four different times throughout the month.

“Equal parts holiday magic and guerilla marketing — we can’t wait to delight passersby with a bit of extra motivation to get their shopping list taken care of right here in the neighborhood," BID President Alexandria Sica said. "This is a very critical time of year for our shops and a little Dumbo Dollars will go a long way to drive foot traffic, inspire non-Amazon shopping solutions and celebrate the feeling of community that can be so special at this time of year!”

The surprise drops will follow the first arrival of Dumbo Dollars on Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when the vouchers fell from the sky at Empire Stores. In total, $5,000 worth of Dumbo Dollars will land on the neighborhood by the end of the year.

The next four drops will be held on Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 and Dec. 21, but their locations will be a secret until the day the money rains down, organizers said.

Locations will be revealed on the Dumbo BID’s Instagram stories, Facebook page, and website at 9 a.m. the morning of each drop with hashtag #LuckyLunchBreak.

Brooklynites who find the lucky Dumbo Dollars can use them at 16 retail spots throughout the neighborhood. For some items at the stores, using the Dumbo Dollars will provide a discount.

Here's a list of the participating shops with suggestions from the BID on what to buy (the second item listed in each is one of the items with a discount):

Ad Astra — Mantra bangles, Sunstone necklace

Aegir Boardworks — Beanies, Aegir Brooklyn Skateboard

Baci — Corduroy style knit cardigan, Woven cosy hooded coat

Berl's Poetry Shop — An Emily Dickinson Quotable Deck, a rare Harlequin Creature journal

Egg by Susan Lazar — Glittery tights, Perry snowsuit

Emerald Gem Exchange — Fluorite pendant, Burmese red jade necklace

Feed — Pear, bergamot and jasmine candle, Eleanor cross body bag

Front General Store — Kumba International x Front General store incense sticks, Cashmere scarf

Glam Expressway — Classic white button down with sequins, Camel vegan leather pants

M Collection — Modern Sprout hydroponic grow kit, Balloon dog sculpture

Margot — True Hue candle and diffuser, Margot 68 Jay Street shirt

Melville House Books — “How To Do Nothing” by Jenny Odell, the “I Would Prefer Not To” bundle

Powerhouse Arena — “Feast of the Seven Fishes” published by Powerhouse, “The Climbing Tree” by John Stith

Redbeard Bikes — Bicycle bell, Brompton folding bike

Thea Grant — Reclaimed brass earrings, Reclaimed sterling silver union squares

Two Kids and a Dog — TY Beanie Boos backpack, Rainbow piano