Town’s local business support goes digital

Online gift certificate program assists during pandemic

There’s a safe new way to support St. Marys’ shops and services during these challenging times.

The Town of St. Marys has taken the lead on participating in an online gift certificate resource, www.fansaveshelps.ca. FanSaves aims to support communities by encouraging social distancing and allowing businesses to stay afloat during this unprecedented pandemic.  

Gift certificates can be purchased from the comfort of home, with the amount (minus any credit card fees) transferred into the business’s bank account within two weeks. Purchasers will receive an email they can print off and use once businesses reopen. The site also includes an option to purchase certificates to donate to local hospitals, including St. Marys Memorial Hospital.  

To find participating local businesses, click on “Find Your Community” at the top of the fansaveshelps.ca page and scroll down to St. Marys. Click on the logo to see two pages of businesses.

“The program is a great way for people to shop local and support the businesses across our community that we so love and rely on,” says Tourism and Economic Development Manager Kelly Deeks-Johnson. “Purchase a gift certificate for yourself, family, friends or a person in need and support local.”

As of press time, almost 30 local businesses have signed up on the site, including Kitchen Smidgen. Owner Cindy Taylor brought the idea forward to Deeks-Johnson. Taylor says that “this is a wonderful initiative by our Town to help local businesses who are being financially impacted by the pandemic.”

Taylor notes that her customers have purchased close to 20 gift certificates so far. “Business participation and gift certificate response by our residents is so encouraging – this collective support is just one more example of how special St. Marys is.”

- 30 -

Contact

Kelly Deeks-Johnson | Tourism and Economic Development Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 272 | kdeeks@town.stmarys.on.ca