Special gift card for 50+ Park Slope businesses rolls out to boost holiday sales

This year, it's more important than ever to support small businesses. A Brooklyn business improvement district came up with an easy way to get people to shop in their neighborhood.

News 12 Staff

Dec 18, 2020, 6:04 PM

Updated 1,454 days ago

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This year, it's more important than ever to support small businesses. A Brooklyn business improvement district came up with an easy way to get people to shop in their neighborhood.
The Park Slope 5th Avenue Business Improvement District is selling special gift cards that are accepted at nearly 60 Park Slope shops and eateries.
"It's a way for you to give the gift of shopping local and supporting local businesses. This is a closed system. The card only works in stores that sign up with us, it's very specific to park slope businesses," says Mark Caserta, executive director of Park Slope 5th Avenue BID.
O Live Brooklyn is one of those businesses, with entire walls covered with different flavors of balsamic vinegars and olive oils. The pandemic cost them anywhere from 25%-50% of its sales.
"It'll hopefully get more people into the shop. Our biggest issue right now is foot traffic. People are not shopping like they were in the past," says Greg Bernarducci of O Live.
Gift Man has been in the community for more than 30 years selling a variety of specialty items.
"We used to have a lot of tourists from every corner in the world, from Egypt, Israel, Cuba, everywhere -- you name it, they were here, you know? We lost them," said Maggie Russo of Gift Man.
The gift card can be bought here. It is sent digitally and can be used right from your phone.