Group offering incentives to visit downtown Sudbury
Downtown Sudbury is offering an incentive gift card program to get people out shopping and eating downtown.
The business improvement association said the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted many businesses and hope the program gives people a good reason to visit the downtown core.
"What that means is if you buy a $100 gift card, we are going to give you $125," said Kyle Marcus, the managing director of Downtown Sudbury. "If you buy a $200 gift card we are going to give you $250 … and so on."
Thrive Health Food Essentials is a downtown retailer taking part in the gift card program. The co-owner said people are welcoming the idea of getting out shopping and dining again.
"You needed something to bring life back into the area," said Irene Andruch co-owner of Thrive Health Food Essentials. "And with summer and the patios coming out, you can feel it blossoming and thriving and something like this will get people hopefully back shopping downtown."
Peppi Panini Lounge and Bar said it has increased its hours in response to reopening and the owners hope people consider downtown as an outing.
"During COVID, we actually took a risk," said Julia Bertin, co-owner of Peppi Panini Lounge and Bar. "We spent money during COVID to grow our business because we knew that after COVID, people would want to come out, eat (and) have a great time."
In the inaugural week of the gift card program, purchasers will be eligible for a draw for a $750 shopping spree at participating businesses. The cards can be purchased online on Downtown Sudbury's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.