The new Downtown Orillia Gift Card can be spent with multiple participating merchants downtown, including stores, restaurants, hotels and services.
Both physical and digital versions of the new Downtown Orillia Gift Card will be available. Physical cards can be used at point of purchase to pay, with the balance on the card automatically updated. The digital version of the card gets added to digital wallets, enabling recipients to ‘tap to pay’ with local businesses.
Tarah Harper, Membership Coordinator for DOBIA said: “Our paper Downtown Dollars operated as a local currency with merchants collecting the vouchers for reimbursement. There was an intense amount of administration involved for everyone. We’re super excited for the launch of the new Downtown Orillia Gift Card because it’ll be easy for merchants to accept and easy for recipients to spend.”
“Orillia is a beautiful city with a booming independent business community,” adds Tarah. “The new, electronic Downtown Orillia Gift Card matches our aspirations for our city. The card will be ideal for businesses and organizations to use as rewards, and even within tourism packages for those visiting the Sunshine City. As the Downtown Orillia Gift Card has to be spent in the Downtown, it truly supports small business and showcases our incredible main street experience. The end goal is encouraging ‘shop local’ in Orillia.”
One of the businesses which accepts the Downtown Orillia Gift Card is Couchiching Brewery Co. Jennie-May Banks, Partner in the Couchiching Craft Brewery and Brewery Bay Shareholders Group, said: “Couchiching Brewery Co. offers casual dining and local craft beer, Ontario wines and delicious cocktails – we’re Orillia's downtown brewery for dining, socializing, entertainment and events. We’re part of the new Downtown Orillia Gift Card because it’s modern and easy for people to purchase as gifts and rewards, making it more attractive to shop downtown and enjoy the variety of what downtown Orillia has to offer.”
Jack and Maddy- A Kids’ Store is another participating business. Megan Murray, Owner, said: “Our shop is like a little community hub for local families, and I've watched kids grow up here. One of our goals is to make a space where folks can come in and find just the right thing. When we heard that the DOBIA was modernizing their Gift Card program from a paper system to a physical and digital Gift Card, we were really pleased for three reasons. Firstly, there is nothing a kid likes more than their own Gift Card. Second it keeps all gifted dollars downtown and lastly, it's a much easier redemption process for me as a business owner since it deposits quickly. It will be much easier to purchase than paper dollars and I'm excited to see the marketing opportunities convert to sales in Downtown Orillia.”
Champlain Waterfront Hotel also accepts the card. Ruth Howorth, Regional Sales for the Sunray Group, said: “Champlain Waterfront Hotel is a boutique historic hotel in the heart of Orillia, steps away from the waterfront, eateries and unique shops. I think the new Downtown Orillia Gift Card will encourage local shopping and provide ease to guests visiting Orillia to enjoy all the businesses downtown. Through the card, there’s a great opportunity to build awareness of the local shops and businesses downtown Orillia and promote shop local.”
Provenance Wine Bar accepts the Downtown Orillia Gift Card. Doug Cooper, owner of the business, said: “My business is a restaurant with a heavy focus on great wine from around the world. The new program makes life a lot easier for my business. I no longer have to deal with the paper Downtown Dollars including redeeming them. I think it's great that you can gift your friend or loved one a card that allows them to frequent all of their favourite places in our downtown. With one purchase you can make someone's day by having all of their daily activities covered by one card.”
The Downtown Orillia Gift Card is part of the award-winning Downtown Gift Card concept from fintech company Miconex, in association with EML Payments.
The Downtown Orillia Gift Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company. Card funds are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). Funds do not expire, are non-reloadable and have no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1108.