An annual program to help stimulate Beiseker’s local economy to the tune of more than $10,000 is set to kick off once again.
On Nov. 12, the Beiseker and District Chamber of Commerce mailed out 1,000 coupons valued at $10 each to residents of the village. The coupons, which are called Beiseker Bucks, are redeemable only at local businesses.
“Within Beiseker, you can take it to any business, whether they’re a Chamber member or not, and get $10 off your purchase,” said Chamber president Sharon King.
The initiative began five or six years ago, according to King. She said the program is meant to incentivize people to shop locally – particularly in the lead-up to the busy holiday season.
“Being a small town with small businesses, we wanted to try to get people shopping within Beiseker as opposed to driving to the city,” she said. “We’ve found it really has had a good reception.”
She added Beiseker has a few dozen local businesses, including 20 Chamber members.
“I think the biggest part is to get people to shop local and support the small person, rather than shop online or buy at a big box store,” she said.
One local business that sees its fair share of Beiseker Bucks is Arcadia Café. Owner Joanne Diaz said the café receives between 200 and 300 coupons a month in the period after the coupons are mailed out.
She said Beiseker Bucks are a great way to promote local spending in the village.
“I think right now especially, it’s hard because everyone is staying at home and there’s a lot of online shopping and that kind of thing going on,” she said. “A lot of people spend their money elsewhere. But if they have $10 they have to spend in town, they might go somewhere they’ve never gone before. I might get someone in here who would have never come in here otherwise. Because they came in once, there’s the potential for them to come back.”
Considering the detrimental financial impact of COVID-19, King said the distribution of Beiseker Bucks will be an added boost in the coming weeks for local companies that have struggled financially since the pandemic began.
“We need to keep food on the table and a roof over people’s heads,” she said. “By shopping local, that’s how you’re going to do it.”
She added she knows of at least two businesses in the village that have closed due to financial struggles brought on by the pandemic.
“I think all the businesses are struggling,” she said. “I’m a business owner too – I own [Hair Heaven Nail and Spa] on Main Street. We made it through the first part of the pandemic, but it’s pretty tough right now. It’s slow and the second wave coming through is going to be even harder to get through.”
Beiseker Bucks are not just distributed in the mail, King said, but also by North Rocky View Community Links. The Village of Beiseker also doles out $350 worth of Beiseker Bucks as prize money for its annual Christmas light-decorating contest.
Furthermore, King said coupons from previous years do not expire.
“Even if they’ve been sitting in your drawer forever, you can still use them,” she said.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
