Lucky Me: Rye Supporting Local Businesses And Having A Blast

RYE, NY — With the break in winter weather, Purchase Street in Rye is bustling with foot traffic. Those venturing into town for an ice cream cone at Longford’s or to window shop for summer fashions might just be surprised to find out it’s their lucky day.

The spring event conceived by the Rye Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local residents and visitors ambush each other with small presents from local merchants. The recipient of the unexpected treat is then encouraged to make someone else's day.

“The idea is simple,” Chamber of Commerce co-president Liz Wood told Patch. “Buy a gift card from a local business and surprise someone with it. The recipient uses the gift card and enjoys. The recipient passes it on - he or she buys another gift card and surprises more friends. It's a double win - it's a fun random act of kindness and we're supporting local.”

The “Lucky me” celebration is heating up as St. Patrick’s Day approaches, but the fun isn’t coming to an end. The community is asked to continue the ad hoc gift exchange throughout the spring.

Many of the lucky recipients have taken to the chamber’s Instagram page to share selfies taken while posing with their unexpected bounties. In some cases, the gift cards have been presented with wrapping and adornments that would make a leprechaun jealous - other card’s plain envelopes belie the joy on the faces of both the gift-givers and the surprised recipients.

Although the novel springtime gift exchange is a relatively new tradition, the local merchant group has long celebrated a similar custom in the fall. The autumn twist on trick-or-treating involves unsuspecting shoppers being “boo-ed” with gift cards as Halloween approaches.